Australia to Send Delegates to Ukraine for Official Defence Discussions
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that Australia will be sending a “senior representative” to a meeting of European defense leaders in Paris as part of considering sending peacekeepers to help end the war in Ukraine.
Albanese mentioned having a “very constructive discussion” with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer the previous evening about Australia potentially joining a “coalition of the willing for Ukraine.”
He stated that the government will send a senior representative to France for the meeting among Europe’s top five military powers on Tuesday to discuss future plans.
“Both of us, both of our nations, are very clear about our support for Ukraine,” he told reporters in Canberra.
“You can’t have peacekeeping forces without peace. So moving forward, it is important to have proper planning in place, and Australia will participate in that meeting,” Albanese added.
When asked if Australian troops were discussed with the UK counterpart, Albanese mentioned that it was too early to decide.
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“I have clearly stated, publicly and repeatedly, that we would consider participating in any peacekeeping mission in Ukraine,” he said.
The prime minister also discussed the AUKUS partnership with Starmer, where Australia is expected to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.
Australia has provided over $1.5 billion in aid to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion more than three years ago.
France’s defense minister will host meetings with his counterparts from the UK, Germany, Italy, and Poland following the US decision to suspend military aid to Ukraine.
