Scott Morrison ‘fears the worst’ for Ukraine, with Russian invasion ‘imminent’

Scott Morrison says reports of cyber-attacks in Ukraine have raised the alarm, as Russian forces mass on the border.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Darwin. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says reports of cyber-attacks in Ukraine have caused him to “fear the worst” for the nation, remarking that a Russian invasion is “imminent”.

“It remains a very volatile situation,” Mr Morrison said at a press conference on Friday afternoon.

“We are very aware of the intent of the Russian forces amassed on Ukraine’s border. We have seen the reports of the cyber-attacks that have been occurring in Ukraine, and we have seen the attempts to create pretexts for an invasion.”

Mr Morrison commented that the international community is preparing for invasion.

“An invasion of Ukraine is of course imminent. I hope that does not occur, but I think what we are seeing leads us to fear the worst,” Mr Morrison said.

He called on the Chinese government to denounce Russia’s threats.

‘”I say again: those who do not denounce the violence that Russia is threatening Ukraine with, well, that leaves me very concerned. And the Chinese government is yet to denounce those threats of violence and I urge them to do so.

“They seek to play a positive role in global peace. Well, they could immediately denounce the threats of violence that are taking place on behalf of Russia.”

Dutton warns of ‘all-out’ war

Defence Minister Peter Dutton says Russia and Ukraine is “on the cusp now of an all-out conflict”, after a kindergarten in east Ukraine was allegedly struck by pro-Russian forces, injuring at least two people.

Dutton told Nine’s Today Show that President Putin “obviously can’t be taken at his word, (and) is manufacturing some sort of trigger or is in the process of executing the final stages of his plan to go into the Ukraine.”

Earlier this week, there was cautious hope among western leaders for de-escalation when Russia said it was withdrawing some troops from the border following the conclusion of military exercises in the region.

Dutton says conflict seems inevitable now, but Australia is far from getting involved.

“There are lots of European leaders who have tried to avert this but it seems President Putin is pretty intent on his action and direction.

“That really is going to result in the loss of life, the loss of innocent life and we’ve seen it before in Eastern Europe. We don’t want it repeated but we live in a very uncertain world.

“We haven’t been asked for troops so have no intention of sending troops,” he said.

“This is an issue NATO and Europe needs to deal with and those European leaders really need to step up and put the pressure even more pressure on to Russia to stop them.”

Opposition leader Richard Marles says there’s hope for an “eleventh hour miracle”, and it’s important the international community stands as one with Ukraine.

“Russia should be withdrawing, obviously, and de- escalating but it’s really important at this moment that the world stands with Ukraine,” said Marles.