Canberra: Military and United Nations experts have raised concerns about Australia’s ability to assist European allies in a potential peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, warning that the country’s defence budget would need a significant boost.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unexpectedly indicated on Tuesday that Australia is open to considering participation in an international peacekeeping effort in Ukraine. His comments came after a high-level National Security Committee meeting, as discussions continue among European nations about a peace plan to present to both the United States and Russia.
Although no official peacekeeping proposal is currently on the table, such an operation would demand extensive resources and personnel. Former Australian Army Chief and University of Canberra professor Peter Leahy has strongly cautioned against sending Australian troops to Ukraine, citing strategic and operational risks.
"I think it's a seriously bad idea," he said, pointing to the dangers posed by modern warfare threats, such as drones, and emphasizing that the conflict is primarily a European and American responsibility.
The prime minister’s offer has also deepened political divisions, with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton ruling out any deployment of Australian forces on the ground in Ukraine.
Defence analyst Peter Jennings, director of Strategic Analysis Australia, noted that while past support for Ukraine has been relatively limited, Mr Albanese's latest remarks mark a significant shift in Australia's stance. However, he pointed out that Australia’s military capability has been weakened in recent years due to budget constraints, particularly with funds being diverted to submarine programs.
For Australia to provide more than a symbolic contribution to peacekeeping efforts, there would need to be a substantial increase in defence spending. Mr Jennings estimated that returning defence funding to Cold War-era levels—above 3 per cent of GDP—would require an additional $25 billion annually.
Former military leaders and analysts have stressed the need for Australia to take its defence commitments more seriously. Professor Leahy suggested that rather than deploying troops, Australia should focus on delivering promised military aid, such as tanks, to Ukraine without further delays.
Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, welcomed Mr Albanese’s remarks, highlighting the need for democracies to step up amid shifting global power dynamics. Meanwhile, ANU expert Matthew Sussex described the prime minister’s comments as a strong signal of solidarity with European allies.
