The federal government said it “won’t be intimidated” by Russian warnings over Australia’s willingness to consider joining a peacekeeping force in Ukraine.
Russia’s embassy in Canberra said yesterday there would be “grave consequences” for Australia if it joined a “coalition of the willing” alongside France and the UK to assist Ukraine if a ceasefire deal was brokered.
A spokesperson for Foreign Minister Penny Wong today said Australia stands by the PM’s message and won’t be bullied by Russian forces.
“Australia has a proud tradition of supporting peace through eighty years of contributions to international peacekeeping missions,” the spokesperson said.
“Such a mission does not yet exist in Ukraine, where Russia continues its brutal and unjustified war.
“Australia has said that if we receive a request to support a peacekeeping mission, we’ll consider it.
“Our message to Russia is: end your illegal invasion of Ukraine. We won’t be intimidated from working towards a just peace for the people of Ukraine.”
A statement issued by the Russian embassy in Australia warned against sending any troops to Ukraine to aid in the invasion.
The embassy said deploying peacekeeping troops would “entail grave consequences” for Australia.
“Russia has repeatedly made it clear that foreign military presence in Ukraine is totally unacceptable,” the statement, first issued to the Sydney Morning Herald, read.
“Therefore, the idea of deploying Western military contingents in Ukraine under the guise of peacekeepers is meant to undermine peace efforts.
“Canberra remains firmly on the side of war along with those in Europe who are betting on continuing and escalating the conflict despite encouraging shifts towards peace negotiations.”
The statement continued: “For Australia, joining the so-called coalition of the willing would entail grave consequences.
“Once again, western boots on the ground are unacceptable for Russia, and we will not remain passive observers.”
Albanese said on March 4 that no request for help from Australia had been made from Zelenskyy.
“We haven’t been asked for anything, there’s proposals discussed,” he said.
“If a request is made, we would give consideration to it. With regard to the US, the US is an important ally of Australia. It’s an alliance between our nations.
“With regard to Australia’s foreign policy, Australia determines our foreign policy. It’s in Australia’s national interest to stand with Ukraine and that’s what our government is doing.”
A coalition of the willing to maintain a future Russian-Ukrain ceasefire was first raised by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
He proposed 30,000 peacekeeping troops from Europe would be stationed around Ukraine to deter further Russian attacks.
