Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reiterated Australia is open to contributing to a future peacekeeping effort in Ukraine as Britain flagged planning is moving to an ‘operational phase,’ during a video hook-up with Western allies.

On Saturday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer rallied together a so-called ‘coalition of the willing’ – some 29 Western nations, including European countries, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, but excluding the US.

Planning for a peacekeeping force for Ukraine will move to an ‘operational phase’, Mr Starmer said, as he sought concrete commitments to support Kyiv and urged allies to ramp up pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin.

‘We will build up Ukraine’s own defences 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,’ Mr Starmer said. 

The UK PM has said Britain could send peacekeepers to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire deal but has called on Washington to offer a security ‘backstop’. 

Mr Albanese said it was in the Australian national interest to support Ukraine.

‘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,’ Mr Albanese said.

‘Australia is always open to considering any new proposals to support Ukraine – which we do so based on our capacity and comparative strengths.’

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reiterated Australia is open to contributing to a future peacekeeping effort in Ukraine

Mr Albanese’s comment comes after Moscow warned any push by pro-Ukraine countries to join ‘the 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,’ a statement from the Russian Embassy said.

‘To those inclined to construe the above as a threat: it is not. It is a warning.’

Trade Minister Don Farrell said the outcome of the Russo-Ukraine war directly affected Australian interests. 

‘It’s Australia’s fight. It is Australia’s fight. It’s in our interest to defend democracy in Ukraine,’ he told Sky News.

Mr Farrell went as far as to say that putting Australian troops on the ground in Ukraine as peacekeepers would be ‘the right thing to do’.

‘If we can make a contribution to that peacekeeping effort, then I think we should… Australia supports the Ukrainian fight,’ he said.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton however has dismissed the idea of sending Australian peacekeepers to Ukraine as a ‘thought bubble’.

Mr Albanese made the pledge following a video call with Western allies including British Prime Minister Kier Starmer (pictured with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy)

The call on Saturday builds on a flurry of diplomacy between European and other Western countries to find ways to help Ukraine after US President Donald Trump up-ended Washington’s previous support and launched peace talks with Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy also joined Saturday’s virtual meeting in which leaders pledged to accelerate military support and tighten sanctions against Russia.

Mr Starmer said the Kremlin’s ‘dithering and delay’ over Trump’s ceasefire proposal, and Russia’s ‘continued barbaric attacks’ on Ukraine, ‘run entirely counter’ to Putin’s stated desire for peace.

Mr Albanese said it was not just a struggle for Ukraine’s national sovereignty. 

‘This is a struggle for the international rule of law,’ he said.

‘What happens in the Euro-Atlantic has serious implications for our region – the Indo-Pacific – and vice versa.’

Mr Albanese noted that Putin’s regime had ‘imperialist designs, for Ukraine and beyond’. 

‘We must ensure Russia’s illegal and immoral actions are not rewarded through any peace process,’ he said.

Australia has committed $1.5 billion to help Ukraine defend itself, including $1.3 billion in military support and equipment such as Bushmaster vehicles. It has also helped train Ukrainian soldiers.