Russia has told Australia there will be “grave consequences” if it puts “boots on the ground” in Ukraine as part of a Western peacekeeping operation proposed by UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last week unexpectedly left open the possibility of Australian troops joining a “coalition of the willing” in the war-torn country to enforce any peace deal brokered between Russia and Ukraine.
The Russian embassy in Canberra has now responded to the proposal, warning: “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,” the embassy warned in a statement published online on Monday.
“To those inclined to construe the above as a threat: it is not. It is a warning. Russia has no intention to harm Australians, and Canberra can easily avoid trouble by simply refraining from irresponsible adventurism in the zone of the Special Military Operation.”
“It might seem even more ironic that a government so heavily invested in protracting the war has suddenly developed an interest in peacekeeping. But maybe it is not so surprising after all.”
According to the Russian embassy: “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.“
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has rejected the idea of putting Australian “boots on the ground in Ukraine”, saying: “I think the Europeans have that task but what Donald Trump pointed out is the Europeans need to do more in the defence of Europe.”
Last week former army chief and University of Canberra professor Peter Leahy told the ABC it was “a seriously bad idea to be sending peacekeeping troops from Australia to Ukraine”.
“Our troops would be seriously in peril should we commit them there,” he said.
“I do see it as out of our region and I do see it as Europe’s business.
“I also see it as the business of the United States, and that’s a disappointment at the moment with what the United States government has chosen to do.”
