has said he's open to any requests for Australia to help facilitate peace in Ukraine.The Prime Minister's message comes as he joined world leaders in an international meeting to discuss the on-going conflict and a potential ceasefire deal."Australia is open to considering any requests to contribute to a future peacekeeping effort in support of the just and lasting peace we all want for Ukraine," Albanese said in a statement issued yesterday.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined world leaders in an international meeting to discuss the conflict. (Alex Ellinghausen)"Australia is always open to considering any new proposals to support Ukraine – which we do so based on our capacity and comparative strengths."The Coalition of the Willing virtual meeting was hosted by Albanese's British counterpart, Keir Starmer, as they urged Vladimir Putin to commit to a ceasefire deal to end the three-year war.Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined the 30 leaders from Europe, Canada and New Zealand, as well as officials from NATO and the European Union's executive.The meeting took place in the wake of a US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, which Zelenskyy has backed.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks with European leaders at the beginning of a video conference at 10 Downing Street in London, England, March 15, 2025. (Leon Neal/Pool Photo via AP)Putin has indicated that he supports a truce in principle but has set out a host of details that need to be clarified before agreeing to a ceasefire.During the meeting, Albanese reiterated Australia's strong and steadfast support for Ukraine and restated that Australia will stand with Ukraine "for as long as it takes"."This is a struggle not just for the people of Ukraine and their national sovereignty. This is a struggle for the international rule of law," the Australian prime minister said."President Putin's regime has imperialist designs, for Ukraine and beyond. We must ensure Russia's illegal and immoral actions are not rewarded through any peace process."The PM added that "Australia supports all meaningful progress towards a just and enduring peace in Ukraine" but realises that "pressure will need to be applied on Russia to engage in good faith"."We have a proud tradition of supporting peace through eighty years of contributions to international peacekeeping missions. Of course, peacekeeping missions by definition require a precondition of peace," he said.Australia has so far committed $1.5 billion in aide to Ukraine, with $1.3 billion of that in military support, through vital equipment and training of forces.Starmer convened the meeting, the second in two weeks, as a means of helping Ukraine in the face of a change of approach by the US, following the return of President Donald Trump, as well as gauging support for any future possible peacekeeping mission.Many more countries were involved this time than the previous meeting on March 2.He said there was a "stronger collective resolve and new commitments were put on the table," both in relation of the "coalition of the willing in terms of defending the deal" and also on the wider issue of the defence and security of Europe.Without providing precise details, Starmer again said the allies were ready to put troops into Ukraine in order to safeguard the peace after any ceasefire.The UK and France have been working to get Ukraine's allies to provide troops, weapons or other aid to a European military force that could be deployed to reassure Ukraine and deter Russia from attacking again.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks with European leaders at the beginning of a video conference at 10 Downing Street in London, England, March 15, 2025. (Leon Neal/Pool Photo via AP)"We will build up Ukraine's own defenses and armed forces, and be ready to deploy as a 'coalition of the willing' in the event of a peace deal, to help secure Ukraine on the land, at sea, and in the sky," he added.Zelenskyy emerged from the meeting calling for strengthened sanctions to pressure Russia into accepting a ceasefire without conditions that could pave the way for a peace deal.In a series of posts on X, he said "Moscow understands one language" and that a 30-day ceasefire "without killings" would create a window in which "it would truly be possible to negotiate all aspects of a real peace."He also said it wasn't up to Putin who is stationed in Ukraine after any peace agreement as he gave his backing to a European contingent on the ground with an American "backstop.""If Putin wants to bring some foreign contingent onto Russia's territory, that's his business. But it is not his business to decide anything about Ukraine's and Europe's security," Zelenskyy said.Ukraine, under severe military pressure on parts of the front line three years after Russia's full-scale invasion, has already endorsed the truce proposal.Russia's army has gained battlefield momentum, and analysts say Putin likely will be reluctant to rush into a ceasefire while he feels he has an advantage."The world is watching," Starmer said."My feeling is that sooner or later he is going to have to come to the table and engage in serious discussions."– Reported with Associated Press.