Peter Dutton called Chinese President Xi Jinping the only man who could reign in the “crazy” Vladimir Putin while Russia invades Ukraine.
In a series of interviews on Friday, the defense minister urged the Chinese leader not to put pressure on Putin.
President Putin launched a large-scale invasion on Thursday, describing it as a “special military operation” to, he said, “denationalize” Ukraine.
Mr Dutton described the scenes in Ukraine as appalling and called on the rest of the world to unite to condemn and put pressure on Putin through sanctions.
Peter Dutton calls on Chinese President Xi Jinping (pictured) to put pressure on Vladimir Putin after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
He warned that there would be tragic consequences in Ukraine in the coming weeks unless his president intervened.
“This is the human reality of the actions of a president who does not want and has not listened to the rest of the world,” he told the Today Show.
Mr Dutton also described Putin as dangerously insane in a separate interview with Kyle and Jackie O.
“We’re dealing with someone here who’s crazy, no doubt, so the world has to be disproportionate,” he said.
“Unfortunately, Ukrainians are right in the eye of the storm now, and His President is the only person who can put pressure on him and turn him around in this terrible mess.”
He warned that there would be economic consequences for the rest of the world.
Defense Minister Peter Dutton (pictured) said Chinese President Xi Jinping should rule Vladimir Putin. Putin’s Russia is economically dependent on China
“There will be economic consequences for the rest of the world, but this is a very uncertain period in which we live and the world has stood united against President Putin’s actions, with the exception of the Chinese government. That is completely unacceptable, “Mr Dutton said.
Asked why no more is being done to help Ukraine, Mr Dutton said the rest of the world does not want tensions to escalate in a nuclear war.
“Forces may be sent, and then you will say, ‘Why did we go to nuclear war?’ ‘ he said.
A Russian tank opened fire during military exercises recently before the invasion of Ukraine
“We have proposed with the rest of the world very strong sanctions against Putin. Frankly, there is one leader in the world who can put pressure on President Putin. This is His President.
“China and Russia have entered into this blatantly wicked alliance, and his president has a lot of power that he can exercise over President Putin.
“He chose not to do that. The world must watch this very closely. ‘
Mr Dutton confirmed in a later interview that Australia had no plans to send troops to Ukraine.
What Putin REALLY thinks about Australia: Russian leader’s brutal response to journalist’s question years before Russia went to war with Ukraine
By Aidan Wondracz and Charlie Moore for Daily Mail Australia
Vladimir Putin acknowledged that he “never thinks about Australia” years before Scott Morrison imposed additional sanctions on Russia for launching an invasion of Ukraine.
The Russian president made a brutal confession during a visit to Australia during the 2007 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
Australian economist Tim Harcourt revealed on Twitter on Thursday that he had asked Putin about his first impressions of the country.
– What do you think about Australia? he asked. “Is that what you expected?”
Mr Harcourt tweeted that he had received a very dumb and surprising response from the visiting president.
“I never think about Australia,” Putin said.
His comment on the country does not appear to affect the then-Prime Minister John Howard stage, as he signed a uranium deal after the APEC summit. At the time, Putin agreed to buy Australian uranium to use for his nuclear reactors.
His thoughts on Australia came to light after Mr Morrison condemned the invasion of Ukraine as “brutal and unprovoked” and imposed additional sanctions.
Russia’s president makes a brutal confession while visiting Australia during the 2007 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit (pictured by Putin and then-Prime Minister John Howard at the 2007 APEC summit)
Vladimir Putin has admitted that he “never thinks about Australia” years before Scott Morrison imposed additional sanctions on Russia for launching an invasion of Ukraine (pictured, vehicle destroyed and wreckage in Mariupol, Ukraine)
His thoughts on Australia came to light after Mr Morrison condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as “brutal and unprovoked” and imposed additional sanctions
Australian economist Tim Harcourt took to Twitter on Thursday to reveal that he had asked Putin about his first impressions of the country.
The prime minister said Russian special forces were moving toward the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, and tanks were circulating all around their borders.
He said there were 1,400 Australians in Ukraine and called on them to leave if it was safe to do so.
After recruiting troops in November, President Putin announced his invasion on Thursday morning, describing it as a “special military operation” and saying he wanted to “demilitarize” rather than occupy Ukraine.
Within hours, Ukraine’s interior ministry said there were hundreds of casualties – although Russia insisted early Thursday morning that it was attacking only military sites and avoiding settlements.
Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union, which disintegrated in 1991, and President Putin wants to prevent its pro-European government from joining NATO’s anti-Russian alliance.
Prime Minister Morrison said Russia had not called the move a “special military operation”.
“They said that after months of aggression and intimidation,” he said.
“But I will call it what it is. The Russian government has launched a brutal, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and must be condemned for it.”
“Together with the international community, we unite strongly to condemn these outrageous acts in the strictest possible terms.
“The footage of rocket attacks, air raid sirens and reports of hundreds of casualties – still unconfirmed – is unfortunately not surprising given the events we have been witnessing for some time and which we are warning about.
After recruiting troops in November, President Putin announced his invasion Thursday morning, describing it as a “special military operation” and saying he wanted to “demilitarize” rather than occupy Ukraine. “In Kharkiv)
Explosions are seen in the early hours of Thursday in Kharkiv, in eastern Ukraine, after Putin made his declaration
“But although these events continue to happen, we call on the Russian government to withdraw and return Ukraine to a peaceful situation.”
Mr Morrison said the invasion was “of great concern” to all Australians, especially 40,000 Australians of Ukrainian descent.
He announced that the “second stage” of sanctions would begin in line with Western allies. On Wednesday night, the prime minister imposed a travel ban and financial restrictions on eight members of Russia’s Security Council, which take effect at midnight.
The sanctions will now affect another 25 people, including army commanders, deputy defense ministers and Russian mercenaries, who are “responsible for the unprovoked and unacceptable invasion and for those involved in the sale and development of military technology,” he said.
More than 300 members of the Russian parliament who supported the invasion will also face sanctions.
The prime minister warned that Russia could retaliate with cyber attacks against Australia, but so far none has been taken. Australia helps Ukraine with cyber experts, but rules out sending troops.
Assistant Secretary of Defense Andrew Hasty said Australia had “offensive cyber capabilities”, but did not say whether it would use them against Russia.
Putin recognized two areas in eastern Ukraine as independent and allowed Russian troops to carry out “peacekeeping” missions. The rebels already hold part of this territory (in red), but Putin recognized a much wider region (yellow)
Scott Morrison releases statement condemning Russia
Australia joins our partners in condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
There is no excuse for this aggression, the cost of which will be borne by innocent Ukrainians.
Vladimir Putin has come up with a weak pretext to invade. Russia’s disinformation and propaganda have not convinced anyone.
We call on Russia to stop its illegal and unprovoked actions and to stop violating Ukraine’s independence. Russia must repeal its violation of international law and the UN Charter and withdraw its troops from Ukraine.
We reaffirm our strong support for Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity – the basic principles of a rules-based world order.
The actions are of deep concern to Australians – especially those with family and friends there.
Australia will continue to play our part to ensure that Russia pays the high price for this invasion order.
We will impose financial sanctions on an additional 25 people and four entities responsible for the unprovoked and unacceptable aggression.
We will restrict Australians from investing in four more financial institutions.
We will work with countries with unanimity on further consequences for Russia.
The Australian Government will continue to work with our partners to keep Australians safe and to protect our values and principles.
Labor leader Anthony Albanese also condemned the invasion, saying “Australia must unite with our allies, holding Russia accountable.”
This came when the Ukrainian military said its air defenses shot down five Russian planes and a helicopter in the early hours of Thursday in the eastern part of the country, near Kharkiv.
The National Border Force said the posts in the north had been attacked by both Russian and Belarusian forces – an extremely significant development, which means that Russia is not acting alone.
The live video of the invasion of Belarus was shot at the Senkivka checkpoint, Ukraine with Veselovka, Belarus. The column was seen entering Ukraine around 6:48 a.m. local time, CNN reported.
A spokesman for the Ukrainian government confirmed that Russia had also invaded the border with Belarus, just 120 miles from Kiev.
He said: “Ukraine’s state border has been attacked by Russian and Belarusian troops.
An explosion was seen in the early hours of Thursday in the Ukrainian city of Kharkov, when Russia launched its offensive
Kharkiv, with a population of 1.4 million, appears to have been attacked in the early hours of Thursday
“At around 5 am, the state border of Ukraine, in the area with the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, was attacked by Russian troops supported by Belarus.
“Attacks on border units, border patrols and checkpoints are carried out with artillery, heavy equipment and small arms.
“This is happening in the districts of Luhansk, Sumy, Kharkiv, Chernihiv and Zhytomyr.
A government spokesman added that Ukraine had been attacked by Crimea.
“The work of enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups is also being recorded,” the spokesman continued.
“Depending on the situation at the border, the border guards, together with the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the National Guard of Ukraine, fire on the enemy.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky released a video message early Thursday urging Ukrainians to stay home and stay calm, telling them to believe in their country
“Information about the wounded among the border guards is being clarified.”
Earlier Thursday, the Russian president told Ukrainian troops “to lay down their arms and go home” while declaring war on Ukraine in an early morning address to the nation.
Putin said Russia could not exist with a “permanent threat from Ukrainian territory” and clashes between Russian and Ukrainian troops were “inevitable.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared martial law in the early hours of Thursday in a video address to the people, urging people to stay at home and stay strong. He said he had just spoken to Joe Biden.
‘We’re working. The army is working, “he said.
“Don’t panic.” We are strong. We are ready for anything. We will all win. Because we are Ukraine. ‘
To the right of the image, tanks can be seen crossing a border post between Ukraine and Belarus in the early hours of Thursday.
Unconfirmed reports say Russian forces have destroyed or made the Ukrainian fleet unusual and have taken control of Kiev’s Borispol airport.
Access to the Black and Azov Seas has been cut off.
More unconfirmed messages on Twitter appear to show a huge naval landing by Russian forces in the Black Sea port of Odessa, involving large landing ships and helicopters just before 6 a.m. local time.
President Joe Biden will address the nation at noon on Thursday and condemned Russia’s “unprovoked and unwarranted attack” on Wednesday night. He talks with the President of Ukraine.
Biden said in a statement: “President Putin has chosen a deliberate war that will bring catastrophic loss of life and human suffering.
“Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction that this attack will bring, and the United States and its allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way. The world will hold Russia responsible. ‘
Biden said he would monitor the situation in Washington, D.C., and would continue to receive regular updates from his national security team.
The developments came as:
- Explosions were heard in Ukraine, with the capital Kiev under attack and the city’s main airport looking like a target, as well as a nearby military base.
- Reports say the port city of Odessa has come under attack, while another Black Sea port city, Mariupol, has come under heavy attack.
- Military attacks on Kharkiv have erupted in the Far East of Ukraine.
- The Ukrainian government has declared martial law and called on people to stay at home while the attack continues.
- Russia insisted in the early hours of Thursday that it was targeting military targets and avoiding populated areas, but Ukraine said it had hundreds of casualties.
- Joe Biden spoke with the President of Ukraine in the early hours of Thursday, after earlier through his ambassador to the UN expressed strong support for the country.
Vladimir Putin is pictured in the early hours of Thursday morning declaring war on Ukraine in what he called a “special military operation.”
President Joe Biden, pictured on Wednesday, condemned Putin’s invasion of Ukraine
Footage shared on social media in Odessa appears to indicate a landing attack
Biden announced that he would join his G7 counterparts on Thursday morning and address the country later Thursday to “announce the further consequences of the United States and its allies and partners, which will impose Russia. ”
“We will also coordinate with our NATO allies to provide a strong, unified response that deters any aggression against the Alliance. Tonight, Jill and I are praying for the brave and proud people of Ukraine, “the statement added.
The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted early Thursday: “I am horrified by the horrific events in Ukraine and I spoke with President Zelensky to discuss the next steps. President Putin has chosen the path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack on Ukraine.
The United Kingdom and our allies will respond decisively.
The metadata of the video of Putin’s declaration of war shows that it was recorded on Monday night, but broadcast early on Thursday.
At the time, some Russian officials denied any intention of invading.
Russia’s armed forces have not launched missiles, air strikes or artillery strikes on Ukrainian cities, the Moscow Defense Ministry told RIA Novosti.
The military infrastructure, air defense facilities, military airports and aviation of the Ukrainian army have been neutralized by high-precision weapons, they said.
Nothing threatens Ukraine’s civilian population, they say.
All flights have been canceled at Russian airports in Krasnodar, Sochi and Anapa, near the Black Sea.
Rostov also announced canceled flights.
Within minutes of Putin’s public address, explosions could be heard in the capital, Kiev, as well as the city of Kramatorsk in central Ukraine and south in Odessa.
Across Ukraine, cruise and ballistic missiles destroyed military infrastructure and strategically important facilities, according to unofficial Russian sources.
CNN reporter in the Ukrainian capital Kiev reports of explosions in the early hours of Thursday morning
Mariupol, on the Black Sea 50 miles from the Russian border, appears to have come under heavy attack. Occupying this strategic location will give the republics of Donbass access to the sea.
The moment that Ukraine and the rest of Europe had feared for months finally came shortly after 4:35 a.m. local time, when huge explosions were heard in Kiev and other cities across the country.
Terrified citizens rushed to bomb shelters, although no warnings were issued in the capital about air strikes – only frequent muffled missile strikes or air strikes breaking the silence before dawn.
In Kiev, people took refuge in bases, while the sounds of distant explosions became a constant background.
It is reported that within an hour Russian special forces and airborne troops are on the ground at Borispol airport in Kiev, amid fierce fighting.
A woman in the Ukrainian capital said: “I was awakened by a friend.
“I am in the center of Kiev.
I hear the sound of distant explosions and ambulance sirens.
At 7.05 am the first sirens for an air raid were heard in the center of Kiev.
Chance, located on a balcony in the Ukrainian capital, quickly put on his protective hats
A CNN reporter in Kiev said he heard live bombings in the early hours of Thursday morning.
“I just heard a big bang right here behind me. I’ve never heard anything like it, “said Matthew Chance, a senior international correspondent for the network.
Chance said he heard between seven and eight explosions and quickly put on his bulletproof vest and hat as he continued to report from a balcony in the Ukrainian capital.
“There are big explosions.
“I can’t see them or explain what they are.
“But I will tell you that the United States has warned the Ukrainian authorities that there may be air and ground attacks throughout the country, including in the capital.
“I don’t know if this is happening now, but it is a remarkable coincidence that the explosions came just minutes after Putin delivered his speech,” Chance said.
“It simply came to our notice then. It was absolutely quiet.
‘This is the first time. It must be more than just a coincidence.
“I think it’s safe where I am. “I have a bulletproof vest,” Chance said before bending down to put on his protective gear.
He suggested that the explosions he heard in the Ukrainian capital were still some distance from the center.
“It was so quiet in Ukraine tonight before these explosions,” Chance said.
The blasts came minutes after Putin said Russia would conduct a military operation in eastern Ukraine.
Explosions were also heard from Ukraine in the Russian city of Belgorod.
Putin told the Russians: “I have decided to conduct a special military operation.
“Russia cannot exist with a constant threat coming from the territory of Ukraine.
You and I had no choice but to protect our people other than the one we use today.
This comes after explosions were heard near the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, as fears grew that it was underway.
Residents of the city, located in southeastern Ukraine, were woken up at 3:30 a.m. by explosions 30 miles from the Russian border.
Clouds of smoke appear to be rising in the night sky near Mariupol, but it has not been confirmed whether this was the result of shelling.
Earlier this week, Putin said he wanted to take over the port of the Sea of Azov, Mariupol, which handles 50 percent of Ukraine’s steel and mineral exports.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the actions were a “grave breach of international law” and that the Allies would meet to deal with “renewed aggression”.
He said on Twitter: “I strongly condemn Russia’s # reckless attack on #Ukraine, which puts countless civilian lives at risk. This is a serious violation of international law and a serious threat to Euro-Atlantic security. # NATO allies will meet to deal with renewed Russian aggression. ‘
British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss wrote on Twitter condemning the attack shortly after 4 am local time.
“I strongly condemn the horrific, unprovoked attack that President Putin has launched against the people of Ukraine,” she said.
We are with Ukraine and we will work with our international partners to respond to this horrific act of aggression.
The blasts came hours after the United States warned the Ukrainian government that Putin’s troops were “ready to go now” with an invasion of Ukraine, with 80 percent of Russian troops already gathered around the country to attack.