Penny Wong says Australia ‘won’t be intimidated’ by Russian warnings over its potential role in a Ukraine peacekeeping force

Australia “won’t be intimidated” by Russian warnings over its potential role in a Ukraine peacekeeping force, Foreign Minister Penny Wong has declared.

Australia “won’t be intimidated” by Russian warnings over its potential role in a Ukraine peacekeeping force, Foreign Minister Penny Wong has declared.

Australia has been in Putin’s sights this week, with Moscow dishing out threats of “grave consequences” should the nation join a “coalition of the willing”.

The Russian embassy in Canberra fired up after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unexpectedly said he would consider participating in a UK and France-backed security force for Ukraine if a peace deal is reached.

“Western boots on the ground are unacceptable for Russia, and we will not remain passive observers,” the embassy posted on social media.

But Senator Wong dismissed the threats, reaffirming Australia’s long history of peacekeeping missions while making clear that no formal request had been made and no decision had been taken.

“Our message to Russia is: end your illegal invasion of Ukraine. We won’t be intimidated from working towards a just peace for the people of Ukraine,” she said.

The government has meanwhile sent Air Vice-Marshal Di Turton to Paris for talks on further support for Ukraine. The peacekeeping mission, if it eventuates, would serve as a security guarantee, ensuring Russia adheres to any US-brokered agreement, much like Australia’s existing peacekeeping efforts in the Middle East and Africa.

Albanese’s openness to the idea has split Canberra down party lines.

Australia ‘won’t be intimidated’ by Russian warnings over its potential role in a Ukraine peacekeeping force, Foreign Minister Penny Wong has declared. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

The Russian embassy in Canberra fired up after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unexpectedly said he would consider participating in a UK and France-backed security force for Ukraine if a peace deal is reached. (Photo by Valery SHARIFULIN / POOL / AFP)

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton argued that Europe should shoulder more responsibility, with Australia focusing on its regional interests.

Senator Bridget McKenzie called Albanese “reckless” for raising peacekeeping participation when “there is no peace”, accusing him of inexperience in foreign policy.

Meanwhile, the Russian embassy accused the Australian government of being “firmly on the side of war”, claiming peacekeeping forces were just a “guise … to undermine peace efforts.”

“To those inclined to construe [this] as a threat: it is not. It is a warning,” the embassy said.

“Russia has no intention to harm Australians, and Canberra can easily avoid trouble by simply refraining from irresponsible adventurism.”

The tense situation is unfolding right as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives in Saudi Arabia for talks with US officials, after his White House confrontation with Donald Trump.

Washington has paused military support for Ukraine, but according to White House official Steve Witkoff, recent signals from Zelenskyy have been “very positive.”

However, he acknowledged there was still “a long way” to go before a final agreement with Moscow.

Key details about the “coalition of the willing” have not been specified, but the grouping was mentioned by Starmer during a summit of European leaders in London last Sunday aimed at guaranteeing “lasting peace” in Ukraine.

British officials have held talks with around 20 countries interested in being part of the group, a UK official said on Thursday.

The official refused to name the nations but said they were “largely European and Commonwealth partners”.

Earlier this week, Albanese told journalists that Australia was “ready to assist” Ukraine.

— with AFP

Originally published as Penny Wong says Australia ‘won’t be intimidated’ by Russian warnings over its potential role in a Ukraine peacekeeping force