Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will send an Australian representative to discuss security strategies for Ukraine at a meeting of defence chiefs in Europe.
The decision comes after a meeting between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Mr Albanese where the leaders discussed the “coalition of the willing” for Ukraine.
Mr Albanese confirmed he discussed with Mr Starmer amid speculation about ongoing support for Ukraine and possibility of providing peacekeeping troops.
“I had a very constructive discussion with the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, last night,” Mr Albanese told reporters at a press conference in Canberra on Sunday.
“I regard him as a friend, and he is a very strong supporter of the relationship between Australia and the United Kingdom.
“We did discuss the issue of Ukraine and the ‘coalition of the willing’, as he has put it, going forward.”
He explained that while no decision had been made on deploying troops, Australia would take part in the upcoming defence chiefs meeting in Paris on Tuesday.
“I certainly have said, very clearly, publicly, repeatedly, that we would give consideration to participating in any peacekeeping mission in the Ukraine,” Mr Albanese said.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has criticised his opponent of being “out of his depth” on national security and said Mr Albanese had made “the wrong call” regarding Ukraine.
“We’re not going to put boots on the ground, as he’s proposing,” Mr Dutton said on Wednesday.
“I think he was trying to take his moment to look tough and to look strong, but in fact, the opposite happened.
“It was just another example of where Anthony Albanese constantly makes the wrong call.”
Prime Minister Starmer had earlier expressed his hope that a group of countries, including both European and Commonwealth partners, would be willing to contribute.
As the war between Russia and Ukraine stretches into its third year, Mr Starmer and other European leaders have sought to build a “coalition of the willing” to guarantee security.
The developments have come after United States President Donald Trump refused to provide security guarantees to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
