Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses Australian Parliament

Ukraine’s President has warned the conflict in his country is a global threat, saying ‘evil can cross any distance, any barrier and destroy lives’. Scott Morrison has pledged more military aid, blasting ‘war criminal of Moscow’ Vladimir Putin.

More Australian military support will be on its way to help Ukraine fight back against its Russian invaders, Prime Minister Scott Morrison vowed just minutes before President Volodymyr Zelensky’s historic address to the Australian Parliament on Thursday afternoon.

Mr Zelensky received a standing ovation as he appeared for his address via video link.

He addressed a chamber with a full public gallery, as Ukrainian community members, foreign diplomats and Senators filled the seats.

Mr Zelensky pleaded for immediate help, saying “the evil Russia is perpetrating will cross any distance and barrier”.

“This country has started a fully fledged war against us. They are shelling our cities, killing our civilians and children.

“They are holding hostage hundreds of thousands of people in cities without water and food.”

He said: “The distance between our countries is big ... we are separate by oceans.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses the Australian Parliament.

“But there is no such thing as distance for the brutality that Russia brought to Eastern Ukraine.

“What ever is happening in our region ... destroying the lives of people... has become a threat to your people as well.

“This is the nature of evil. It can cross any distance, any barrier and destroy lives.”

Zelensky warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin - described by Prime Minister Scott Morrison earlier as the “war criminal of Moscow - could use nuclear weapons which would put the entire world at risk.

He said no part of the world would be protected from radioactive contamination.

He also gave a nod to threats in Australia’s own region, though did not name China or other nations.

“If we don’t hold Russia accountable, then some other countries of the world looking forward to similar war against their neighbours will decide that such things are possible as well.”

He said the international reaction to Russia invading and annexing Crimea in 2014 had only emboldened Putin.

“The unpunished evil comes back. Unpunished evil comes back with inspiration, with the feeling of a feeling of mightiness.

“If Russia was punished for what it did in 2014, we wouldn’t have any of this terror of invasion in Ukraine in 2022. We have to correct this.”

He said he was thankful for the aid and coal supplied by Australia so far, but more help was needed.

“We need to sanction ... against Russia until they stop blackmailing other countries with their nuclear missiles.

“They have to pay the highest price ...

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia had been emboldened by a lack of international reaction to the Crimea invasion in 2014. .

“We have to stop any intention of Russia to bypass the sanctions. What kind of sanctions are they if you can bypass them using simple... schemes.”

He said “we have to keep those fighting” against Russia going.

Zelensky said “this has to be decided on the battlefield” and called for aid such as the Australian Bushmaster vehicles.

“If you have an opportunity to share this with us we’d be very grateful in Ukraine.”

He said what matters most is humanity and “the dream of bringing back peaceful life to Ukraine”.

“Thank you, thank you Australia.”

Mr Morrison declared “Australia stands with Ukraine” against Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion, as he announced military support would be bumped up to $116 million .

The new $25 million package, in addition to $91 million already pledged, will include tactical decoys, unmanned aerial and unmanned ground systems, rations and medical supplies.

A crowded chamber as Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses Australia’s Parliament. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“The Australian Government will continue to identify opportunities for further military assistance where it is able to provide a required capability to the Ukraine Armed Forces expeditiously,” Mr Morrison said.

“The Government will not disclose further specific details of the package or delivery arrangements at the direct request of Ukrainian officials and our other partners.

“We must continue to impose the maximum costs against Russia through targeted sanctions on individuals and entities, including President (Vladimir) Putin and his circle of oligarchs and propagandists, military commanders and members of Parliament.”

Mr Morrison praised Zelensky as “a lion of democracy” and declared Australia and Ukraine were separate by distance and language, but shared values.

“You have our prayers, but you also have our weapons. Our sanctions against those who seek to deny your freedom. And you even have our coal,” he said.

He said Australia stands with Ukraine and “we don’t stand with the war criminal of Moscow”, Vladimir Putin.

“We have seen them unleash unspeakable horror against your children, your hospital.

“We remember the downing of a civilian airliner carrying 209 passengers including 38 Australians.”

Speaker of the House Andrew Wallace said President Zelensky brought greater understanding of the situation in Ukraine to the Parliament with his words.

“Our prayers are with you and the people of Ukraine,” Mr Wallace said.

“We in this Parliament debated the situation in Ukraine. We have been shocked and horrified by the images from across your country,

“Today you’ve added to our understanding with your powerful words.”

Shockwaves have rippled across the globe at the tactics used by Russia as it shells civilian shelters and hospitals as its war machine continues hostile actions.

President Zelensky, a comedian prior to entering politics, has impressed world leaders as he rallies Western nations to Ukraine’s aid, while staying within his nation to continue the defence.

Russia had anticipated a quick subduing of Ukraine, but more than a month after the invasion began it has had the cede ground at several cities.

Russia already reneged on its vows just yesterday to de-escalate some of its operations, particularly on the northern city of Chernihiv and the suburbs of Kyiv.

Australia has already provided a range of assistance to Ukraine, including $91 million in military assistance, $65 million in humanitarian funding, donating at least 70,000 tonnes of thermal coal and has already issued more than 5000 visas to Ukrainian citizens.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne announced on Thursday, prior to the address, Australia would further expand its sanctions against Russia.

An additional tariff of 35 per cent will now be applied to all imports from Russia and its ally Belarus.

A formal notice of the sanction will be issued tomorrow and it will take effect from April 25.

There is already a prohibition of energy, oil and gas products from Russia, and a ban on exports of alumina and aluminium ores to Russia.

More than 500 individuals and entities have been personally slapped with sanctions by Australia so far, including Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich.

Ukraine is not a member nation of NATO, which has limited the direct intervention of the US and other Western nations for fear of escalating events into a world war.

Ukrainian community members, including a family who arrived from Ukraine on Tuesday, are expected to be attending in the gallery. President Zelensky will address the parliament with an interpreter providing translation for the Chamber.