“The reason we’re doing this is there must be a price for the unprovoked,unlawful,unwarranted,unjustified attacks and threats and intimidation that has been imposed by Russia on Ukraine,” Mr Morrison said.
Australia reserved the right to take further action,the Prime Minister said,adding Australia would always have a “principled and consistent” response to any countries who threatened the sovereignty of others.
“I think it is important for like-minded countries to take the strongest possible action,because one day it’s a country like Russia threatening the border and seeking to invade Ukraine,and the next it could be countries in our own region seeking to do the same thing,” Mr Morrison said.
Mr Morrison said although there must be consequences for Russia’s actions,he does not expect the sanctions will prevent President Vladimir Putin from attacking Ukraine.
“I don’t necessarily expect it to deter an authoritarian autocratic leader which is intent on taking the opportunity to pursue their own interests by violating another country’s sovereignty,who’s clearly been preparing to do that for some time,” he said.
Mr Morrison also accused Russia’s embassy in Australia of spreading nonsense and engaging in bullying.