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In Australia, the conservative opposition appears likely to support any government decision to send Australian peacekeepers to Ukraine if the US-European talks lead to peace.
When Labor prime minister Anthony Albanese previously said Australia would consider requests to join a peacekeeping force, then opposition leader Peter Dutton dismissed it as a “thought bubble”. But Dutton’s successor, Sussan Ley, has now indicated the opposition is open to Australia joining a global effort in Ukraine.
A Ley spokesperson said:
We will work constructively with the government in our national interest when it comes to our international relationships.
The opposition unequivocally supported Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion, the spokesperson added.
Australian Associated Press also reports that Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, said bipartisanship on his country’s security was vital.
I welcome that decision, I think that’s a very smart decision. We’ve traditionally had that bipartisan support and I think it’s the right thing to do.
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