Canberra: Russia has issued a strong warning to Australia, cautioning of "grave consequences" if it proceeds with deploying troops to Ukraine as part of a Western-led peacekeeping mission.
The statement comes after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese indicated last week that his government had not ruled out participating in a "coalition of the willing" to enforce a potential peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.
In response, the Russian embassy in Canberra made it clear that such an action would be unacceptable to Moscow. "Western boots on the ground are a red line for Russia, and we will not simply stand by and watch," the embassy stated in a message published online on Monday.
While denying that this was a direct threat, the embassy warned Australia against engaging in what it called "irresponsible adventurism" in Ukraine. It also criticized the West’s involvement in the conflict, arguing that deploying foreign troops under the pretense of peacekeeping was actually an attempt to prolong hostilities rather than end them.
Russia further accused Australia and its allies of supporting the continuation of the war, rather than working towards peace. The statement suggested that recent diplomatic discussions offered a glimmer of hope for a resolution but warned against military escalation by Western nations.
Meanwhile, opposition leaders in Australia have pushed back against the idea of sending Australian forces to Ukraine. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton dismissed the proposal, stating that defending Europe should be Europe's responsibility. He also echoed U.S. President Donald Trump’s stance that European nations must take greater responsibility for their own security.
Nationals Senator Matt Canavan also voiced opposition, urging decision-makers to abandon what he described as a "Hollywood-style" approach to foreign policy. Writing in an opinion piece, he cautioned against reducing complex geopolitical conflicts to a simplistic "good versus evil" narrative.
Military experts have also raised concerns about the risks of sending Australian troops to Ukraine. Former Army Chief and University of Canberra professor Peter Leahy labeled the idea as "seriously flawed," warning that Australian forces would be in significant danger if deployed. He argued that the situation should be handled by European nations and the United States, expressing disappointment over Washington’s recent actions.
