Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has accused Peter Dutton of 'running away' of a united front that supports Ukraine as speculation grows about whether a ceasefire can be sustained in the years of war.
The opposition leader said on Friday that he was against Australia who joined around 30 countries in a 'coalition of willingness', a potential international security force for Ukraine.
“It just doesn't make sense,” Mr Dutton told reporters.
“It is our job to take care of our country and to ensure that we are safe in our region and to keep peace in our region, we must invest in defense.”
The opposition leader said that he supported Ukraine 'from the first day' and opposed 'Russian malignant invasion of Ukraine and the slaughter of innocent men, women and children'.
“We must continue to support Ukraine, but not with troops on the ground.”
Mr Dutton's statement seems to have ended, at least in the eyes of the prime minister, cross-bank support of Ukraine.
'[We] Had a dual position, it seems that Mr Dutton ran away from it. That is a decision for him, but we stand in front of Ukraine, “Mr Albanese told the ABC.
Peter Dutton (photo) told reporters on Friday that supporting boots on site in Ukraine 'is not logical'
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (photo) will participate in a call with 30 countries to discuss a 'coalition of willingness' that would create an international peace force for Ukraine
The Prime Minister spoke with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Saturday, where he said that he would “consider contributing to a coalition of the willingness for Ukraine,” according to a Downing Street statement.
Albanese confirmed that on Sunday, and said: 'Both countries are very clear about our support for Ukraine. You cannot have peace strides without having peace '.
Russia has given Australia a blunt warning in response to the prime minister's heavy position.
“Again, Western boots on the ground are unacceptable for Russia, and we will not remain passive observers,” said a statement of the Russian embassy.
“Russia does not intend to harm Australians, and Canberra can easily prevent problems by simply abandoning irresponsible adventurism in the zone of the special military operation.”
The added strict statement said that the presence of soldiers of NATO and Western countries within a likely peace zone in eastern Ukraine was 'totally unacceptable'.
“Canberra stays firmly on the side of the war, together with those in Europe who bet on continuing and escalating the conflict despite encouraging shifts to peace negotiations.”
On Wednesday, Ukraine had agreed to an American proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with Russia.
The Kremlin refused a proposed cessation -the pro -grant, with an assistant from President Vladimir Putin called the agreement 'Hasty'
But the hope for a break in the years of war was resolved after the Kremlin had made the agreement led by Donald Trump.
Putin Assistant Yuri Ushakov expressed his opposition against the proposed American deal and said that it was 'hasty' and would give breathing space to the Ukrainian troops at a time when Moscow is almost complete ground in his Kursk region in the Kyiv region.
At least 30 countries are involved in discussions about the idea of a united peace force that would be placed in Ukraine.
Albanian remains open to considering an Australian troops on the ground and will participate in the call, arranged by Sir Keir Starmer, on Saturday evening Australian times, the ABC reports.
