Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has held a phone call with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has held a phone call with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has welcomed a commitment from Australia to “consider contributing to a coalition of the willing for Ukraine,” Downing Street says.
Starmer had a call with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese on Saturday, the latest in a series of conversations Starmer has had as the United Kingdom continues its diplomatic push for a peace deal in Ukraine.
The UK and France have been seeking to build a coalition of countries willing to defend an agreement.
A readout of the conversation from a Downing Street spokesperson said: “The prime minister began by expressing his support for all Australians affected by the cyclone and paid tribute to the strength of the partnership between the two countries.
“The prime minister also reiterated the UK’s commitment to the AUKUS programme.
“The leaders agreed to stay in touch.”
Officials from about 20 largely European and Commonwealth countries took part in the talks about the peacekeeping coalition earlier this week.
Not all the countries interested in the plan would necessarily provide troops to a peacekeeping force but they could potentially contribute in other ways.
Starmer phone call with the Australian leader comes after the UK prime minister spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron to “compare notes” on their work towards a peace deal.
—AAP