Australians must stand up to “bullies” like Russian president Vladimir Putin, the prime minister says after joining international discussions on ways to support Ukraine.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday rallied a “coalition of the willing”, more than 20 European and other nations including Australia, Canada and New Zealand but excluding the US who favour concrete commitment to Kyiv and ramped up pressure on Mr Putin.
Australia was open to contributing to future peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reiterated after the talks.
“Vladimir Putin is a bully. You know what Australians do? They stand up to bullies,” he told reporters in Melbourne on Sunday.
“If a large country like Russia is able to brutalise a small neighbour and a sovereign neighbour in Ukraine, then that has implications for peace and security in the world.”
Planning for a peacekeeping force for Ukraine will move to an “operational phase” in the event of a peace deal, Mr Starmer said.
Should Australia enter an agreement, its contribution would be small, Mr Albanese said but peace would first need to be guaranteed through a ceasefire and an end to Russian aggression against Ukraine before any peacekeeping can begin.
Some have questioned whether Australia should contribute to a peacekeeping operation so far from its region.
The opposition, while supportive of Ukraine against Russia’s “illegal and immoral invasion”, has cast doubt on the idea.
“When it comes to boots on the ground, this is a matter better handled by Europe,” Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley told Sky News.
However Trade Minister Don Farrell assured peace in Ukraine was important to Australia.
“Ukraine’s fight for democracy – Ukraine’s fight for its sovereignty – is Australia’s fight,” he told Sky News.
“It’s not all about popularity and so forth but it’s the right thing to do.”
The overnight meeting builds on a flurry of diplomacy between European and other Western countries to find ways to help Ukraine after US President Donald Trump up-ended Washington’s previous support and launched peace talks with Russia.
The UK PM has said Britain could send peacekeepers to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire deal but has called on Washington to offer a security “backstop”.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy also joined Saturday’s virtual meeting, in which leaders pledged to accelerate military support and tighten sanctions against Russia.
Mr Starmer said the Kremlin’s “dithering and delay” over Mr Trump’s ceasefire proposal and Russia’s “continued barbaric attacks” on Ukraine, “run entirely counter” to Putin’s stated desire for peace.
Mr Albanese noted that Putin’s regime had “imperialist designs, for Ukraine and beyond”.
“We must ensure Russia’s illegal and immoral actions are not rewarded through any peace process,” he said.
Australia has committed $1.5 billion to help Ukraine defend itself, including $1.3 billion in military support and equipment such as Bushmaster vehicles. It has also helped train Ukrainian soldiers.
Ukraine has agreed to a US proposal of a 30-day ceasefire, provided Moscow complies. Russia, however, opposes an unconditional ceasefire.
The Kremlin also only recognises the US as a partner for a peace agreement, not the Ukrainian leadership or European states.
with agencies
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