Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated on Tuesday that his government is open to considering the deployment of Australian peacekeeping troops to Ukraine as part of ongoing international discussions.

Speaking at a press conference in Sydney, Albanese reaffirmed Australia’s support for Ukraine, highlighting the country’s $1.5 billion contribution, including $1.3 billion in direct military aid.

“There is discussion at the moment about potential peacekeeping, and from my government’s perspective, we are open to consideration of any proposals going forward,” Albanese said.

He also emphasized Australia’s independent foreign policy, stating, “Australia determines our foreign policy in our national interest, and it is in our national interest to stand with Ukraine.”

Opposition leader rejects troop deployment

Meanwhile, opposition leader and Prime Ministerial candidate Peter Dutton opposed sending Australian troops, aligning with former US President Donald Trump’s stance that Europe should take more responsibility for its own defense.

“In terms of whether we should have boots on the ground in Ukraine, I don’t see that. I think the Europeans have that task,” Dutton told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Global considerations on Ukraine peacekeeping

European leaders have been debating the formation of a “coalition of the willing” to send troops to Ukraine to enforce a potential peace agreement with Russia. However, Russia has strongly opposed the idea of European military presence on Ukrainian soil.

The discussion follows a rift between the US and Ukraine, intensified by a confrontation between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and former US President Donald Trump in Washington. Trump has since halted all US aid to Ukraine, pending an assessment of Zelensky’s commitment to ending the war.