Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reaffirmed unwavering support for Ukraine on Saturday, declaring it a matter of national interest during a virtual ‘Coalition of the Willing’ meeting hosted by UK PM Keir Starmer.

Joined by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and leaders from Europe, Canada, and New Zealand, Albanese stressed that Australia will stand by Ukraine “as long as it takes.” He argued that stability in the Euro-Atlantic region directly impacts the Indo-Pacific, framing the conflict as a test of international law and sovereignty.

Post-meeting, Albanese pledged continued aid, including concrete actions to bolster Ukraine’s defense, and signaled openness to future peacekeeping roles. “Australia has committed $1.5 billion, with $1.3 billion in military support, equipment, and training,” he said, citing the nation’s 80-year peacekeeping tradition. However, he noted peace as a prerequisite for such missions. Albanese also called for sustained pressure on Russia to negotiate in good faith, welcoming proposals aligned with Australia’s strengths.

The stance has sparked domestic friction. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, a contender in the upcoming election, criticized Albanese’s approach as reckless. “We’ve supported Ukraine, but not with troops. This is a thought bubble—our focus should be regional security,” Dutton told reporters Friday, per the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

The debate intensified after Russia’s Embassy in Canberra warned of “grave consequences” if Australia joined the coalition, calling Western troop presence unacceptable and urging restraint.

Albanese’s position aligns with allies like the UK and France, who advocate a united front against Russia. Yet, with Russia decrying “irresponsible adventurism” and Dutton pushing a narrower national focus, the PM’s Ukraine policy risks deepening bipartisan divides.