Scott Morrison condemns ‘brutal invasion’ as Russia declares war on Ukraine
War has broken out in eastern Europe under new orders by the Russian President.
Vladimir Putin has ordered a military operation in Donbas, which he argues is to “demilitarise” the state.
There are reports explosions have been heard in several Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv and Kharkiv.
#Kharkiv.. pic.twitter.com/GvrCz79Alx
— Yaser Emre (@yasiremres) February 24, 2022
The Russian president made the announcement live on Russian television.
He has reportedly told Ukrainian troops they should give up their weapons and “go home”.
It comes after the Ukrainian President vowed his country would “fight back” against a Russian invasion.
US President Joe Biden has condemned the attack, writing “Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring”.
Director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Michael Shoebridge, said the reports coming out of Kyiv show there have been multiple attacks across Ukraine.
“This is actually a major armed attack, a war on Ukraine committed by Vladamir Putin,” he told Scott Emerson.
“Any idea he wanted to de-escalate conflict and he had some limited goal with Ukraine, looks wrong, this looks like a large, armed attack on Ukraine.”
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This evening Prime Minister Scott Morrison addressed the unfolding military situation, saying Australians are thinking of those in Ukraine.
“I’ll call it what it is – the Russian government launched a brutal invasion, unprovoked on Ukraine.”
He says it should be condemned.
Mr Morrison says Russia has “chosen war”.
Press PLAY below to hear about the sanctions, announced tonight by the PM
Australia’s Foreign Minster, Marise Payne, said the Russian government’s actions was a wholesale breach of international law, it was “illegal, unjustified and unprovoked”.
The Minister reiterated there was no plan to send troops to Ukraine.
“We will not be providing military assistance in Ukraine itself,” she told Scott Emerson.
Press PLAY below to hear more about the sanctions
Image: Getty/ WPA Pool