With the Australian federal election approaching, both major parties—Labor and the Coalition—have signalled openness to sending Australian troops to Ukraine under the guise of a “peacekeeping mission.” However, there are serious legal, geopolitical, and historical reasons why this proposal is both flawed and dangerous.

Australia Cannot Unilaterally Declare Troops as Peacekeepers

Under international law, a peacekeeping force must be approved by either the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) or by agreement of the warring parties. Given that Russia is a permanent member of the UNSC with veto power, it is impossible for a UN-backed peacekeeping mission to be deployed in Ukraine without Russian consent.

Additionally, under the UN Charter and the laws governing peacekeeping operations, forces can only be designated as peacekeepers if both parties in a conflict agree to their presence. Ukraine cannot unilaterally invite foreign troops and call them peacekeepers. Without Russia’s agreement, any foreign troops deployed to Ukraine would not be peacekeepers but rather active combatants in the war—essentially, an escalation of direct military involvement.

Russia’s Warnings Against Foreign Troop Deployments

Russia has made it abundantly clear that any foreign military presence in Ukraine would be seen as an act of war. Russian officials have repeatedly warned that NATO or Western forces entering Ukraine—even under the label of “peacekeepers”—would be viewed as legitimate military targets.

Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister, has explicitly stated that any such move would trigger an immediate military response, potentially drawing Australia into a direct conflict with a nuclear-armed state. Even French President Emmanuel Macron has acknowledged the dangers of European military forces being involved in Ukraine, despite his rhetoric about readiness to intervene.

Australia’s History of Fake Wars and the Cost in Lives

This is not the first time Australian politicians have pushed the country into a conflict based on false premises. Let’s look at the pattern of deception that has cost Australian lives:

1. Vietnam War (1962-1973)

  • Lie: The war was framed as a fight against communism, with the infamous “domino theory” claiming that if Vietnam fell, communism would spread throughout Asia.
  • Reality: The war was a civil conflict, and the U.S. later admitted it was based on false premises (e.g., the fabricated Gulf of Tonkin incident).
  • Australian casualties: 520 plus killed, over 3,000 wounded.

2. Iraq War (2003-Present)

  • Lie: Australia joined the war under the pretext that Saddam Hussein had Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) that posed an imminent threat.
  • Reality: No WMDs were ever found. The war was an illegal invasion based on a fabrication.
  • Australian casualties: 2 killed, dozens injured, untold numbers suffering PTSD.

3. Afghanistan War (2001-2021)

  • Lie: Framed as a mission to defeat terrorism and build democracy.
  • Reality: Australia was involved in a 20-year occupation that resulted in the Taliban regaining control the moment foreign troops left.
  • Australian casualties: 41 killed, over 260 wounded.

4. Syria (2014-2019)

  • Lie: Australia was fighting ISIS, but in reality, Western involvement prolonged the war and created further instability.
  • Reality: The West armed and trained radical groups that later became a bigger problem than ISIS itself.
  • Australian casualties: No official combat deaths, but many veterans suffered physical and psychological injuries.

The Election Mandate Trick: Your Vote as an Excuse for War

With a federal election looming, there is a very real possibility that if either major party wins, they will claim that the election result gives them a mandate to deploy Australian troops to Ukraine. They will argue that because Australians voted for them, they also implicitly supported their war agenda.

What Can Australians Do?

  1. Put Labor and the Coalition LAST on your ballot – Do not give them the ability to claim a war mandate.
  2. Support independent and minor party candidates who oppose war.
  3. Call and email your local MP demanding they reject military deployment to Ukraine.
  4. Educate others about the legal realities and dangers of sending troops under false pretences.

Conclusion: Don’t Be Fooled Again

The push to send Australian troops to Ukraine is not about peace—it’s about escalation. Without UN approval or Russian consent, such a mission would be illegal under international law and would drag Australia into yet another foreign war based on deception.

How many more Australian lives need to be lost before we stop believing the lies?

#NoWarForUkraine #PutLaborLiberalLast #AusVotes2025 #AustraliaNotAtWar