Australia has become the first non-Nato nation to consider contributing troops for a coalition of the willing in Ukraine. Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the commitment, which was made during a phone meeting with Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese.

Britain and France are seeking to build a military stabilisation force to underwrite a peace agreement in Ukraine. Sir Keir’s call with PM Albanese took place shortly after a conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron to “compare notes” on their work towards a peace deal.

On Thursday, the EU moved to free up billions of euros for security as the bloc grapples with the prospect of the US reducing assistance for Europe.

So far, around 20 European nations have expressed a willingness in principle to join the coalition, which will not act under the Nato umbrella.

Moscow has already dismissed the idea, however, with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov declaring: “We will consider the presence of Western peacekeepers in Ukraine as the presence of NATO in Ukraine. No matter what insignia are attached to their uniform sleeves, they will still be troops of NATO countries. This cannot be allowed.”

Downing Street said Sir Keir "welcomed Prime Minister Albanese's commitment to consider contributing to a Coalition of the Willing for Ukraine and looked forward to the Chiefs of Defence meeting in Paris on Tuesday.

"The Prime Minister also reiterated the UK's commitment to the AUKUS programme.

“The leaders agreed to stay in touch.”

Last night Justin Crump, of the Sibylline strategic risk group, said: “Australian may be partly trying to ensure that Europe doesn't forget Australia when it comes to China, but I think there is a moral component to it, too, , as Australia has done a lot to support Ukraine.

”it's offer is significant because it is not in Nato , which addresses Russia’s claims. But the fact is that we simply cannot leave the defence of Ukraine to countries we don’t trust to do the job, such as China, Brazil and India."