Australia Considers Peacekeeping Role in Ukraine

Australia Considers Peacekeeping Mission in Ukraine: Albanese

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Sunday that the country is open to considering participation in a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, though he emphasized that the situation remains premature for any such deployment.

In a conversation with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday, Albanese discussed the ongoing efforts of Britain and France to form a "coalition of the willing" aimed at safeguarding a potential ceasefire in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Albanese reiterated Australia's firm stance on supporting Ukraine, noting, however, that peacekeeping forces cannot be deployed without the establishment of peace first.

"We are very clear about our support for Ukraine, but it is too early," Albanese remarked during a press conference. "You can’t have peacekeeping forces without having peace."

Albanese has made it clear in previous statements that Australia would be open to considering involvement in any peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, should the situation evolve to that stage.

Further demonstrating Australia's commitment to Ukraine, Albanese confirmed that a senior Australian representative would attend an upcoming chiefs of defense meeting in Paris on Tuesday to discuss ongoing support for Ukraine.

The conversation surrounding peacekeeping missions in Ukraine has gained momentum, with several European countries expressing their willingness to send peacekeeping troops as part of a broader "security guarantee" for the nation.