Peter Dutton slams ‘irrational’ Vladimir Putin as Ukraine tension mounts

Defence Minister Peter Dutton has slammed Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “dictator” who is increasingly “irrational” in his old age.

Defence Minister Peter Dutton has slammed Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “dictator” who is increasingly “irrational” in his old age.

As Russia continues to amass thousands of troops near the border, the war of words between Russian and western countries continues to escalate.

President Putin has argued for years that Russia and Ukraine are so closely historically and culturally aligned that they are essentially one people and described the break-up of the Soviet Union as “the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century.”

Mr Dutton said as the Russian leader approaches his 70th birthday it’s clear that he was looking to the Ukraine as unfinished business.

Peter Dutton. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Russian President Vladimir Putin. Picture: Alexey Nikolsky / Sputnik / AFP

Peter Dutton has slammed President Vladimir Putin as “irrational”, as tensions between Russia and Ukraine heat up. Photo by ALEXEY PANOV / POOL / AFP

“The international community, it just has to put as much pressure on Russia as possible to prevent them from going in. Whether or not they listen to that, ultimately, is a decision for Putin,’’ Mr Dutton told 2GB radio.

“And he sees no doubt that Ukraine is part of Russia and that he wants to bequeath to his successor at some point.”

But Mr Dutton said President Putin’s conduct was a reflection of his increasing age and concern for his legacy.

“He’s 69 years of age and these sort of dictators who are getting older and want to leave their legacy and start to become more and more irrational. So it would be devastating because it would disrupt world economic markets,’’ he said.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin works out at a gym at the Bocharov Ruchei state residence in Sochi on August 30, 2015. AFP PHOTO / RIA NOVOST

Mr Dutton’s comments represent one of the strongest attacks on Russia by an Australian political leader since former Prime Minister Tony Abbott threatened to shirt-front Vladimir Putin eight years ago over the downing of MH17.

“I am going to shirt-front Mr Putin – you bet I am – I am going to be saying to Mr Putin Australians were murdered, they were murdered by Russian backed rebels,” Mr Abbott said.

But despite escalating tensions, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that while Russian troops could attack Ukraine at any time, they did not currently have enough troops to mount a full offensive.

“The number of Russian troops amassed along the border of Ukraine and in occupied territories is large, it poses a threat — a direct threat to Ukraine,” he said.

“However, as we speak this number is insufficient for a full-scale offensive along the entire Ukrainian border. They also lack some important military indicators and systems to conduct such a large full-scale offensive.

“We can say 100 times a day invasion is imminent, but this doesn’t change the situation on the ground.”

The Kremlin has also publicly denied its plans to attack Ukraine, accusing NATO of amassing weapons supplies itself in a growing threat on Russia’s western flank.

Putin has made no secret of the fact he wants Ukraine to rejoin Russia. Photo by Alexey DRUZHININ / Sputnik / AFP)

Tension has been building on the Ukrainian border.

Mr Dutton has previously warned of “bloody scenes” and deaths in the “tens of thousands” if Russia decides to invade Ukraine.

“The Russians have been quite obvious in their intent. They’re amassing troops on the border, they’re positioning assets,’’ he told Sky News.

“I think Australia, as you would expect like every other country, wants to see the Russians to step back.

“At the moment, we hope the deterrence can mean that the Russians step back and that they don’t continue on what looks like a path to conflict with Ukraine,” Mr Dutton said.

“Because as I say tens of thousands of people will die, there will be bloody scenes.

“And it hasn’t been in our recent psyche because everyone’s been taken over by Covid but it’s not too long ago we’ve seen tragic scenes in that part of the world and we want to make sure they’re not repeated.

“This is a very, very serious situation.”