‘A step too far’: Scott Morrison’s big call on Vladimir Putin

The Prime Minister has declared one thing Russian President Vladimir Putin is considering doing “a step too far”.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has labelled Vladimir Putin’s intention to attend an upcoming summit a “step too far”.

The Russian ambassador to Indonesia dismissed suggestions the President should be barred from the group, telling reporters he was planning to attend the conference in November.

“It will depend on many, many things, including the Covid situation, that is getting better. So far, his intention is … he wants to,” ambassador Lyudmila Vorobieva said.

But Mr Morrison said he did not believe that was appropriate.

“Russia has invaded Ukraine. This is a violent and aggressive act that shatters the international rule of law,” he told reporters in Melbourne.

“The idea of sitting around a table with Vladimir Putin, who the United States are already in the position of calling out war crimes in Ukraine, for me is a step too far.”

Scott Morrison says he’s raised concerns about Russia’s involvement in the G20. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

“I think we need to have people in the room that aren't invading other countries.

The US is assessing whether Russia should remain within the G20 grouping following its invasion of Ukraine.

“We believe that it cannot be business as usual for Russia in international institutions and in the international community,” US national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters.

But a bid to dump Russia from the group would likely face opposition from other nations, such as China.

Ms Vorobieva has urged the host country to not be swayed by allies in the call for Russia to be barred from the summit.

“We really hope that the Indonesian government will not give in to the horrible pressure that‘s being applied not only to Indonesia but so many other countries in the world by the West,” the ambassador said.

The Russian ambassador to Indonesia has said he is intending to attend the summit. (Photo by Mikhail KLIMENTYEV / SPUTNIK / AFP)

Asked if Australia would consider boycotting the summit, Mr Morrison said he had been in contact with Indonesian President Joko Widodo about his concerns.

“I have been in direct contact with President Widodo about these issues,” he said.

“We‘ve been making very clear statements and representations about our very strong concerns about the involvement of Russia in the G20 this year.

“We want the Indonesian G20 to be a great success. We want it to focus particularly on the challenges of our region in the Indo-Pacific.”

He added that given the government was set to go into caretaker mode due to the election, there would be some meetings ministers would not be able to attend.

The US declared overnight that Russia had committed war crimes in Ukraine by hitting civilian targets (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP)

Mr Morrison’s comments come just hours after the US formally declared that Russian military forces had committed war crimes in Ukraine by hitting civilian targets.

The Prime Minister said Australia shared the same view.

“I think they‘ve gone through the evidence and made those claims, and, yes, Australia would share their assessment based on what we have seen,” he said.

“We can see a bully when we see them and we always call them out.”

Originally published as ‘A step too far’: Scott Morrison’s big call on Vladimir Putin