CANBERRA: Australia is open to requests to take part in peacekeeping operations in Ukraine, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pic) said, reaffirming his support for Kyiv as it faces growing criticism from the Trump administration.
Australia is "open to consideration of any proposals going forward” on potentially deploying troops to Ukraine, Albanese said, adding that its struggle against Russia is about the defence of international law. The UK and France have been discussing boots on the ground in Ukraine to ensure its security in the event of a ceasefire with Moscow.
"We stand with the people of Ukraine and we stand with President Zelenskiy,” Albanese told reporters in Sydney on Tuesday (March 4). "There’s discussion at the moment about potential peacekeeping and from my government’s perspective we’re open to consideration of any proposals going forward.”
His comments come as President Donald Trump ordered a pause to all US military aid to Ukraine as he seeks to increase pressure on President Volodymyr Zelenskiy following a blowup between the two leaders at the Oval Office.
Australian says it has contributed more than A$1.3 billion (US$808 million) in military support for Ukraine since Russia invaded the former Soviet republic three years ago. Australia reaffirmed its strong support for Ukraine in recent weeks even as Trump has intensified criticism of Zelenskiy. - Bloomberg
