Russia says Scott Morrison ‘does not stand up to bullies’ after sanctions over Ukraine announced

Russia has fired back at Scott Morrison after he accused the superpower of bullying and announced major action.

Russia’s top diplomat in Canberra has hit back at Scott Morrison, saying the sanctions imposed on Moscow are misguided.

But the Prime Minister says Russia’s claims that they’re involved in a “peacekeeping mission” in Ukraine are “deeply offensive”.

Mr Morrison on Wednesday outlined sanctions on Russia’s key industries as well as five banks and eight high-ranking individuals.

The sanctions were triggered after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared independent recognition of two eastern Ukraine regions – Donetsk and Luhansk and sent in troops under the guise of “peacekeeping”.

Mr Morrison denounced the claim and labelled Russia as “invaders”.

In announcing the sanctions, Mr Morrison said Australia “always stood up” to “bullies and thugs” and would not hesitate to impose further sanctions if Russia did not stop their invasion of Ukraine.

Russian ambassador Alexey Pavlovsky said Russia would not back down over Ukraine. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Russian ambassador Alexey Pavlovsky was called into a meeting with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on Wednesday afternoon.

In a statement on Facebook, Mr Pavlovsky said contrary to what Mr Morrison had said, Australia “does not always stand up to bullies”.

“Canberra has been totally indifferent to the discrimination of the Russian speakers by the radical nationalistic regime in Ukraine and to the plight of civilians in Donbass living for years under blockade and constant shelling form the Ukrainian military,” the statement said.

“In alignment with its key partners, Canberra has played its part in supporting and encouraging the xenophobic bullies based in Kyiv.

“The decision to recognise DPR and LPR was made on humanitarian grounds, to protect civilians … from the threat to their lives and safety posed by the current Ukraine regime.”

Speaking in response to Mr Pavlovsky’s statement on Thursday, Mr Morrison said Russia’s claims were “wrong”.

“The suggestion that somehow Russian soldiers crossing the border and entering Ukraine (as peacekeeping) is deeply offensive to anyone who has pulled on a uniform as a peacekeeper across the world,” Mr Morrison said.

“They’re not peacekeepers, they’re invaders. That’s how we see it and we’ll call it out.

“If they don’t like it, that’s tough. There is no justification for Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and any attempt to create some pretext for it is offensive.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced sanctions against Russia on Wednesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

Mr Morrison labelled Russia’s invasion of Ukraine “unprovoked, unlawful, unwarranted and unjustified” and said Mr Putin’s actions could not be “consequence free”.

“It should send a message to any other regime out in the world that if you go down this path, if you seek to coerce and bully others, then the world should stand together in targeting those who are directly at the centre of these activities and this is incredibly important,” Mr Morrison said on Thursday.

“There must be consequences for violent, coercive and bullying behaviour.

“Australia values the rule of law and does not bully our neighbours, and in fact we stand up to those who do.”

Acknowledging that Australia does not have a significantly close trading relationship with Russia, Mr Morrison said the sanctions would have minimal impact on Australian businesses but would get “stronger and stronger” down the line if Russia did not draw back.

“I doubt (Mr Putin) will necessarily step back as a result of these sanctions being imposed, but you do them because anyone who seeks to do this must have a cost,” Mr Morrison said.

“There will be a cost to Russia’s actions.”

Mr Morrison said Russia’s actions could not be ‘consequence free’. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Labor leader Anthony Albanese acknowledged Australia’s sanctions alone had little effect on Russia but said it was critical we were in lockstep with like-minded nations.

“It’s important, in terms of the sanctions, that we put forward sanctions which are consistent with what the US, UK and European Union are doing,” he told reporters on the Gold Coast.

“Australia acting by ourselves isn't going to have an impact.

“What we need to do to maximise that impact is to be lockstep with our international allies and democratic relations.”

Asked if he thought the sanctions should go further, Mr Albanese would not be drawn.

“I don‘t look for false distinctions between the government and the opposition. It’s in Australia’s national interest for us to have a common position,” he said.

Calling Russia a “thug and bully” on Wednesday, Mr Morrison said Australia and the West would stand up for liberal democracy.

“We are now living in a world where authoritarian autocracies are seeking to have their way, and the only defence against that is those countries that favour world order, that favour freedom,” he said.

“Liberal democracies have to stand together and so many other countries, even if they’re not liberal democracies, who do believe in those principles in the sovereignty of states … we need to stand together and Australia will always do that.”

Russia said it would send troops to Ukraine on ‘peacekeeping functions’, prompting widespread condemnation from Western governments. Picture: Omer Messinger/Getty Images

Charge d’affaires of Ukraine in Australia Volodymyr Shalkivskyi on Wednesday morning said Australia and its allies should target Russia’s “most sacred area” of its economy and impose sanctions on energy.

“The energy companies provide the most revenue for the Russian budget, money that the Kremlin uses to finance military campaigns around the world,” Mr Shalkivskyi said.

“We appreciate the already implemented sanctions against Russia and the strong political statements (of Australia).

“We need Australia to join its partners in applying additional sanctions against Russia.

“We hope the Australian government will find possible ways to provide additional non-military assistance.”

Mr Morrison added Australia would seek to offer humanitarian support for Ukrainians in terms of visas through the “many streams” of the migration program and that displaced persons would be put at the top of the pile.

“I would expect we would be able to provide support through many channels,” he said.