TRANSCRIPT
A woman washes blood from her hands amid bombed out shopfronts and burning cars, in the Ukrainian city of Kherson.
This has been the gruelling reality of life in Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
But after more than three years of attrition, the prospect of peace now seems to be closer.
A flurry of diplomatic activity, led by the US, has pressured mostly European nations to form a coalition of countries willing to provide security guarantees.
Overnight, 29 world leaders joined a call to plan possible military support that could underpin a long-term peace deal.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was one of them.
"The participants last night were all committed to peace in Ukraine. In order to achieve that, Russia must agree to a ceasefire, firstly, but it must also agree to stop its aggression against Ukraine."
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the coalition of countries is moving into an "operational phase" that will allow them to "swing in behind a peace deal and guarantee Ukraine's future security".
The call comes just four days after Ukraine agreed to a U-S proposal for a 30-day ceasefire.
Fierce fighting continues, particularly in the Kursk region, where Ukraine is trying to hold onto a small tract of territory it managed to seize from Russia.
This could be a vital bargaining chip for any deal.
Russia says it agrees with the 30-day truce in principle, but President Vladimir Putin has set a number of preconditions that closely resemble the Kremlin's stated war aims.
Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accused Mr Putin of stalling to improve Russia's military position before negotiations begin.
He addressed the coalition of leaders from Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Canada overnight.
"The path to peace must begin unconditionally, and if Russia doesn't want this, then strong pressure must be applied until they do. Moscow understands one language. I ask you to talk to America, to President Trump, to help bring peace faster."
Keir Starmer co-hosted the meeting with Mr Zelenskyy.
He too accused Russia of "dithering and delay" over the ceasefire proposal.
Mr Starmer says if Russia does not agree soon, the so-called 'Coalition of the Willing' will need to increase pressure on Moscow.
"So, the group I convened today is more important than ever. It brings together partners from across Europe as well as Canada, Australia and New Zealand, with backing from others too including Japan. We agreed we will keep increasing the pressure on Russia. Keep the military aid flowing to Ukraine and keep tightening restrictions on Russia's economy to weaken Putin's war machine and bring him to the table. And we agree to accelerate our practical work to support a potential deal. So we will now move into an operational phase."
Anthony Albanese says Australia is open to the idea of sending peacekeeping troops - but Australia's contribution would be modest if it happens at all.
"It is premature to talk about that detail. Australia has a proud record over 80 years of participating in peacekeeping missions, including Africa, in Cyprus; in a range of countries around the world. It would be a small contribution if we chose to do so. But what we want to see is peace so that you can have peacekeeping."
In comments after the meeting, Finland’s President, Alexander Stubb, pointed out that boots on the ground are just one of “50 different ways” other countries can help.
Australia has already contributed in $1.5 billion in support of Ukraine - notably through the provision of Bushmaster tanks and military training.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton says he supports this - but not providing peacekeeping troops.
He says Australia needs to focus on its own defence.
"We should be doing everything we can to bolster our security in our defences, and to make sure that we're investing in are not taking away from the capacity of the Australian Defence Force, and my judgment is that base troops in Europe at the moment is the wrong decision for our country."
The Prime Minister says stronger support for Ukraine is part and parcel of protecting Australia's national security interests.
"This is also about whether the international community will stand for the international rule of law. If a large country like Russia is able to brutalise a small neighbour and a sovereign neighbour in Ukraine, then that has implications for peace and security in the world. Now, Australia has a national interest in standing with Ukraine and Australia does stand with Ukraine, it's not clear who put it up and stand with or what he stands for."
Military leaders will meet on Thursday to discuss further details of what support could look like, if a longer-term peace deal is reached.
Meanwhile, the world waits for Russia's response to the ceasefire proposal, amid expectations US President Donald Trump will meet with Vladimir Putin soon.
