China called out for easing trading restrictions with Russia

China has been called out for effectively turning a blind eye to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with Beijing easing trading restrictions.

Scott Morrison has condemned Vladimir Putin and called on China to intervene and urge Russia to halt its invasion of Ukraine. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has slammed President Vladimir Putin as “a thug” accusing China of throwing the Russia leader “a lifeline” as he invades Ukraine.

Describing the military occupation of Ukraine as “unprovoked”, “illegal” and “unacceptable” Mr Morrison has again urged China to intervene and urge President Putin to halt the invasion.

“I call him a thug,’’ he said.

“We continue to be extremely concerned with the terrible violence we have seen inflicted on the people of Ukraine by Russia, unwarranted, unprovoked.”

Mr Morrison’s language is the strongest used against the Russian leader by an Australian Prime Minister since Tony Abbott threatened to “shirt-front” President Putin in 2014 over the downing of MH-17 disaster.

Thirty-eight Australian citizens and residents were among the 298 killed in the tragedy. The United States, Ukraine and others always blamed Russian separatists for the disaster.

The Prime Minister has also accused China of effectively turning a blind eye to the violation of international law by the Russian invaders.

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Scott Morrison has condemned Vladimir Putin and called on China to intervene and urge Russia to halt its invasion of Ukraine. Picture: Supplied

His remarks were more forceful than U.S. President Joe Biden, who warned on Thursday said that any country that backed Russia’s onslaught in Ukraine would be “stained by association.” However, he chose not to name China directly.

Speaking to reporters at the White House President Biden said that President Putin’s actions represented a dangerous moment for freedom around the world.

“Putin will be a pariah on the international stage. Any nation that countenances Russia’s naked aggression against Ukraine will be stained by association,” Biden said.

Asked if he was urging China to isolate Russia, Biden said: “I’m not prepared to comment on that at the moment.”

China is one of the few countries that has leverage over Russia to demand President Putin to halt the invasion.

The Prime Minister is urging all countries to join in on imposing sanctions against Russia, but chose to single out China for easing trade restrictions with Russia.

Mr Morrison described the invasion of Ukraine (demonstrators at rally in US above) as “unprovoked”, “illegal” and “unacceptable. Picture: Olivier Douliery/AFP

“I particularly have been concerned at the lack of a strong response from China,’’ Mr Morrison said.

“Overnight...the report is in the South China Morning Post today, at a time when the world was seeking to put additional sanctions on Russia, they have eased restrictions on trade after Russian wheat into China.”

“At a time when Australia, together with the United Kingdom, together with the United States and Europe and Japan, are acting to cut off Russia, the Chinese government is following through on easing trade restrictions with Russia.

“You don’t go and throw a lifeline to Russia in the middle of a period when they are invading another country. That is simply unacceptable.”

Earlier, Defence Minister Peter Dutton unloaded on China for refusing to exert its influence and encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin to stand down his forces.

Speaking with Nine, the Defence Minister urged Beijing to join with the world in condemning the violence.

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Thursday (Photo by Alexey NIKOLSKY / SPUTNIK / AFP)

“There’s one leader in the world frankly who can exert pressure on President Putin. That is President Xi,” Mr Dutton said.

“China and Russia have entered into this frankly unholy alliance and President Xi has a lot of power he can exert over President Putin.

“He has chosen not to do that. The world should observe that very closely.”

However, Mr Dutton claimed Australia, the US and its allies had done all they could to deter Mr Putin.

“What more can the world do? There can be forces sent in and then you would be saying, ‘Why have we entered into a nuclear war?’” Mr Dutton told Nine.

Originally published as China called out for easing trading restrictions with Russia