TRANSCRIPT
The United States-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 was the last time Australia joined a so-called 'Coalition of the Willing'.
But now it's the United Kingdom proposing an international peace-keeping force by the same name, this time in support of Ukraine.
Such multi-national peacekeeping missions are often mandated by the United Nations Security Council, but Russia has veto power in the body and would almost certainly block any attempt.
The Kremlin has been clear: It will not accept Western soldiers being deployed on the ground in Ukraine.
Any coalition would operate within Ukrainian-held territory as part of a future peace deal, functioning as insurance against further Russian aggression.
But Professor Don Rothwell, an international law expert at the University of Sydney, says this may not guarantee safety.
“If Russia was to consider these foreign forces were entering Ukraine alongside Ukrainian forces and exercising the rights of what’s called ‘collective self-defence,’ those foreign forces could then become legitimate combatants, as far as Russia is concerned. That means they could then be targeted by Russian forces, by Russian military, by Russian missiles and by Russian drones consistent with Russia's interpretation of international law."
The Russian embassy says in a statement that “Australia joining the so-called coalition of the willing would entail grave consequences...To those inclined to construe the above as a threat: it is not; it is a warning."
Defence strategist, Emeritus Professor Paul Dibb from the Australian National University says he doesn't believe Russia would risk a direct confrontation with Western powers.
"I think it's bluster, we'll find out. I think they're just using the spooking of the Kremlin that they might do something really nasty to us. Well, I don't believe that. What are they going to do? Drop a nuclear weapon on us or something?"
Ukraine's ambassador in Canberra, Vasyl Miroshnychenko says Russia should be ignored.
"If we take into account their interests, then probably everybody should abandon Ukraine and just cave in to Russia, because that's what Russia wants. So I don't think we have to be listening to Russia to be frank. Nobody should because there is a clear U-N charter, there is international law, there is a rules-based system, and there is active aggression, there are crimes against humanity, there are war crimes, and Russia must be held accountable for what they have done."
The Foreign Minister Penny Wong is firm in support of Ukraine stating "Our message to Russia is: end your illegal invasion of Ukraine. We won’t be intimidated."
The Prime Minister has reiterated his message that any Australian military presence in Ukraine, would require a peace to uphold - a goal still to be achieved.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton says the peacekeeping role is for Europe, and Australia's focus should remain in its surrounding region.
"We should be doing everything we can to bolster our security and our defences and to make sure we're investing in, not taking away from the capacity of the ADF. So my judgement is basing troops in Europe at the moment is the wrong decision for our country."
But the Ukrainian ambassador stresses his belief that Australia's support of Europe now is an investment in its own future security needs.
"We need you now. And when I say we, I mean Europe, because Australia may need Europe in the future."
