‘A thug’: Prime Minister Scott Morrison blasts Russian President Vladimir Putin

Scott Morrison has unleashed on Vladimir Putin, telling reporters exactly what he thinks of the Russian President.

Scott Morrison has declared Russia must pay for the “unwarranted and unprovoked” invasion of Ukraine.

Announcing his next tranche of sanctions, the Prime Minister blasted Russian President Vladimir Putin, labelling him a “thug”.

“Today, Australia will be imposing further sanctions on oligarchs whose economic weight is of strategic significance,” he told reporters.

Sanctions will also be extended to those members of the Russian parliament who voted to authorise the use of troops in Ukraine.

Scott Morrison has branded Vladimir Putin a thug. Picture: Attila Kisbenedek / AFP

Mr Morrison conceded Australia’s sanctions would not stop the acts of aggression.

“That was not our expectation. Russia has been planning these acts of violence for some considerable period of time,” the Prime Minister said.

“But there must be a cost. There must be a price. And it must be imposed by the global community.”

Asked what he thought of the Russian President, Mr Morrison responded: “I call him a thug.”

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

He added that Australia would work with US authorities to align sanctions against Belarusians who were complicit with the Russian invasion.

Additionally, work will begin with NATO to organise the delivery of nonlethal military equipment and medical supplies to Ukraine.

“We are a long way from Ukraine, and the most effective way is to be doing that to our NATO partners to ensure we can support that commitment,” Mr Morrison said.

“We are providing financial support as well as equipment through that NATO channel.”

Speaking to reporters in Adelaide, Mr Morrison also revealed his strong support for denying Russia access to the SWIFT global payments system.

Australia will work with NATO to supply nonlethal military equipment to Ukraine. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

“I think we should be taking every step we can to ensure Russia pays a price in the international community for the violent and aggressive acts of invasion against Ukraine,” he said.

The EU stands divided over whether to cut Russia off to the payment system that connects thousands of financial institutions around the world.

Earlier, US President Joe Biden said world leaders were at an impasse.

“It is always an option. But right now, that's not the position that the rest of Europe wishes to take,” he said.

But Mr Morrison pleaded with leaders to unilaterally support the move.

“This is all about ensuring (Russia) get cut off, and that is the price that is paid. But for that to occur, it has to occur with countries all around the world,” he said.

“I would implore other nations, particularly those who are involved with SWIFT, to join that call to deny Russia access to that payment system.”

Mr Morrison also called for world leaders to block Russian access to a global payments system. Picture: Mandel Ngan / AFP

In a show of bipartisanship, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese echoed Mr Morrison’s response.

“It's important that the entire world act against this aggression and say that it is completely unacceptable,” he told reporters in Tasmania.

“This isn't just an attack on Ukraine. It is also an attack on the principles that have undermined peace and prosperity since the end of the Second World War.”

Earlier, Foreign Minister Marise Payne accused Mr Putin of wanting to “rewrite history”.

“He clearly wants to reverse history and force Ukraine back under authoritarian control, but Ukraine has chosen a different path and a path of democracy,” she told Sky News.

Mr Morrison and Finance Minister Simon Birmingham will meet with members of the Ukrainian community later on Friday in Adelaide.