...see what Dutton says: UK has a big role to play in deterring Russia. The LNP Govt wants no part in this, you can tell from the rhetorics below, if it was China on Taiwan, you'd expect full blown press...WHY?? No politics to gain !!
Australia has not mentioned cyber cooperation in any of its public statements, and Prime Minister Scott Morrison yesterday emphasised that no requests had been received for direct military support to help deal with the crisis.
"It is obviously a tense situation and it's one that we will continue to work with our partners in terms of any response … but there has been no request made and none are anticipated," he said.
This morning, Senator Payne told AM the two countries were still in the early stages of discussions on expanded cyber cooperation. Russia-Ukraine crisis deepens
As more than 100,000 Russian troops amass at the Ukranian border, the West is on edge that Europe is teetering towards its first war in decades. Read more
"No specific requests have been made as yet, but I did indicate to the foreign minister that we'd continue to work together on those sort of practical matters where Australia and Ukraine could advance these engagements," she said.
"My ambassador to the Ukraine — with whom I'll speak this afternoon – will engage the Ukrainian authorities on those [issues] as well."
Mr Kuleba also said Senator Payne had accepted an invitation to visit Ukraine this year, although this has not been confirmed by the Australian government. Australia and Ukraine 'not on same page'
The United Kingdom has been supplying Ukraine with anti-tank weapons and warned Russia that it would face sanctions from multiple European countries if it launched an invasion.
Mr Dutton told commercial radio station 4BC that the UK had a "big role" to play deterring Russia from taking action in Ukraine.
"If we're going to deter countries from aggressive behaviour then we're best to do that with strong friends and allies and we have that in the UK and in the US," he said.
