Australia doesn’t rule out troops in Ukraine

London: So, Richard Marles, Australia’s Defence Minister, just dropped some hints about possibly sending troops to Ukraine. It’s all part of the ongoing talks about the conflict there.

He was in London with Penny Wong, chatting with their British counterparts. When asked about sending troops, Marles made it clear that Australia is still backing Ukraine.

He said, “We will stand by Ukraine and continue our support until it can resolve this conflict on its terms.” Sounds like they’re really committed to helping out.

During the press conference, he also mentioned that Australian troops will keep training Ukrainians in the UK for another year. This is part of a British-led effort called Operation Interflex.

Marles emphasized that they’re looking for ways to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. He’s all about working closely with the UK on this.

UK Defence Secretary John Healey echoed Marles’ sentiments, saying that Russia’s President Putin won’t win and that Ukraine will have support for as long as it needs it.

There’s also some chatter about how the upcoming US president, Donald Trump, might affect things. He’s hinted he could wrap up the war quickly, but that’s raised some eyebrows in Ukraine and beyond.

Despite the uncertainty, NATO members are still committed to backing Ukraine. There are even calls for putting troops in Ukraine to deter Russia.

The war has caused massive casualties and displaced millions. Meanwhile, Russia is struggling and has started sending North Korean troops to the front lines.

On a brighter note, around 11,500 Ukrainians have found refuge in Australia. Plus, Australia has already sent over $1.5 billion in aid to help Ukraine, including tanks.

Foreign Minister Wong is heading to Brussels soon to meet with NATO folks and discuss Australia’s future support for Ukraine. It’s a busy time for everyone involved.