UK says Australia ‘considering’ joining group to protect Ukraine peace

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has spoken to Anthony Albanese about ‘coalition of the willing’.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the National Situation Room (NEMA) in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office says Anthony Albanese was considering joining a group of countries prepared to protect an eventual ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Britain and France have been leading efforts to form the so-called “coalition of the willing”, with the United States’ long-term commitment to Europe’s security now in doubt under President Donald Trump.

Sir Keir “spoke to the Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese this morning,” the UK leader’s office said on Saturday local time.

“He welcomed Prime Minister Albanese’s commitment to consider contributing to a Coalition of the Willing for Ukraine and looked forward to the Chiefs of Defence meeting in Paris on Tuesday.”

European countries have been rushing to boost support for Ukraine as Trump pursues direct talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin to end Moscow’s three-year-long invasion of Ukraine.

Several European states have said they would be willing to deploy troops to Ukraine as a “security guarantee”.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer and France's President Emmanuel Macron hold a meeting during a summit at Lancaster House on March 2. Picture: Getty.

Key details about the “coalition of the willing” have not been specified, but the grouping was mentioned by Sir Keir 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, Mr Albanese told journalists that Australia was “ready to assist” Ukraine.

“There’s discussion at the moment about potential peacekeeping,” he said. “From my government’s perspective, we’re open to consideration of any proposals going forward.