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Prime Minister Scott Morrison.Credit:Louie Douvis

“Every day that that resistance continues,every day that we impose a cost on the Russian government and all those who support them in their unlawful acts,makes it even harder for Russia to continue to pursue their objectives in Ukraine,” he said.

“This is also likely to lead to an even more violent response from Russia. Anyone who thinks the Russian government is just going to sit there,I think doesn’t understand the intent and the outrageous objectives of[Russian] President Putin.”

He said Australia would provide additional support to Ukraine,including about $70 million for both lethal and non-lethal defensive support – the majority in the lethal category. He declined to provide the specifics,saying he did not want to give Russia any additional information.

There will also be an “opening contribution” of $35 million for humanitarian support,with more to be provided over time to help provide shelter,food,water,medical care and education support.

Outstanding Australian visas for Ukrainian people have now been processed,he said,and about 100 applications are being received a day and considered “top priority”.

The Prime Minister gave his sternest warning yet to Australians considering going to Ukraine to help fight the Russian invasion.

Mr Morrison saidthe legal position of those choosing to do so and join informal militias is “very unclear” and it was “unlikely” to be lawful. He further said they would be putting themselves in an extremely risky situation.

“Anyone seeking to do that would find themselves on the wrong end of some very,very violent attacks,” he said. “Others have described those sorts of things as suicide missions and that’s not an unreasonable assessment.”

He said the government advises against all travel to Ukraine. “Don’t. Don’t do it,” he said.

Defence Minister Peter Dutton said he understood the passion people had and how horrified Australians were feeling about the slaughter of men,women and children by Russian soldiers.

“As the Russian forces move closer to the capital,[the situation] will become more intense and ... it’s going to become more and more difficult,” he said. “The reality is ... many people will die unless President Putin changes the action of the course he is on at the moment.”

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