Richard Marles has welcomed the deployment of Australian Defence Force personnel to the United Kingdom where they will provide 'basic infantry training', while simultaneously ruling out sending the soldiers to the ground of war-torn Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's"special military operation" is just days away from entering into its 12th month and has showed no signs of slowing.
The Federal Government announced on Tuesday night it would send Australian Defence Force troops to Europe to help train 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers in response. "They very much have the heart but the skills that will be provided by these Australian personnel are going to be really important to equip them for the battlefield, to keep them safe, to keep Ukraine in the fight and that's what we need to see so Ukraine can ultimately resolve this conflict on its own terms," he told First Edition's Peter Stefanovic.
Stefanovic then posed to Mr Marles how long the Australian troops would be overseas training their Ukrainian compatriots. He was also questioned if there was a"scenario" where Australian soldiers would ever step foot on the grounds of Ukraine."There is no… our forces are not going to Ukraine and I don’t see that scenario. But this is really important training… giving these Ukrainian soldiers basic infantry training is fundamentally important to allow them to stay in the fight.
Shadow foreign minister Simon Birmingham appeared on Sky News Australia shortly after and noted the initiative was"absolutely" welcomed by the Opposition.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Germany’s no-nonsense new defence minister faces early test over UkraineBoris Pistorius is surprise pick for role as he has a low profile in Germany and is little known internationally
Read more »
Ben Wallace and EU defence ministers to press Germany over tanks to UkraineUK defence secretary will meet counterparts from Poland and Baltics in drive to get Berlin to agree re-export of Leopard 2 tanks
Read more »
World number one Świątek survives testing opener, Nadal begins title defenceIga Świątek takes time to get going but finds her way past Jule Niemeier in the Australian Open first round, while Rafael Nadal needs four sets to defeat an ailing Jack Draper.
Read more »
German defence minister Christine Lambrecht quits after series of blundersCritics say she was not up to job of getting German army into shape against backdrop of Ukraine war
Read more »
Russia to expand military to 1.5 million troops, defence minister saysRussia detailed plans on Tuesday to expand its military to 1.5 million personnel over the next few years, a move that comes as Ukraine warns that Moscow may be planning an offensive and increased tensions between Moscow and the United States and its allies.
Read more »
Alice Springs mayor calls for Australian Defence Force to help with outback town's ongoing crime crisisA police operation to stamp out crime in the Central Australian town has seen more than 300 people arrested since November – but mayor Matt Paterson says it's not enough.
Read more »