Prime Minister Scott Morrison has condemned the "brutal" and "unprovoked" actions of Russia, as its troops launched an assault on japanese Ukraine immediately.
Mr Morrison referred to as on the Russian Authorities to withdraw and return Ukraine to a peaceable state of affairs.
"Along with the worldwide neighborhood, we're banding collectively in robust phrases to sentence these outrageous acts within the strongest doable phrases," he mentioned at a media convention in Sydney this afternoon," he mentioned.
"At the same time as these occasions proceed to happen, we do name on the Russian Authorities to withdraw and return Ukraine to a peaceable state of affairs.
"We denounce what are unilateral hostile actions in Ukraine.
"Russia is flagrantly breaching worldwide regulation, and the UN Constitution."
Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton denounced Russian President Vladimir Putin's "mindless invasion and thuggish violence within the strongest phrases".
"Tonight our ideas and prayers are with all Ukrainians," he mentioned.
"The ladies and kids huddled in bunkers, households enduring sleepless nights, and people right here in Australia involved for family members."
Mr Morrison mentioned he had conveyed his "staunch assist" to Ukrainian management final evening.
He expressed assist for the simply over 40,000 Australians of Ukrainian descent, in addition to for these of Russian descent.
"I wish to ship a selected message to Australians of Russian descent. I do know that they may also be feeling horrible about these occasions," he mentioned.
"We're all Australians, and we thank them for his or her contribution to Australia, and we stand along with them as Australians."
Obvious Russian strikes hit Ukraine's capital
Massive explosions have been heard earlier than daybreak in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa as world leaders decried the beginning of an Russian invasion that would trigger large casualties and topple Ukraine's democratically elected authorities.
Mr Morrison mentioned the Australian Authorities was persevering with to take motion to penalise Russia for its actions, after it imposed plenty of sanctions towards Russia yesterday.
"We should guarantee there's a value for this violent, unacceptable, and egregious behaviour," he mentioned.
Mr Morrison mentioned the monetary sanctions have been going to go additional than the federal government having stopped Australians doing enterprise with 5 Russian banks yesterday.
"We at the moment are shifting to put restrictions on Australians investing in an additional 4 monetary establishments," he mentioned.
"There will probably be additional waves of sanctions as we establish these accountable for these egregious acts."
He mentioned sanctions can be prolonged to a different 25 Russian people.
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Mr Morrison mentioned Australia was praying for the protection of Ukraine's folks.
"However we additionally know that they're struggling a horrible ordeal by the hands of a horrible aggressor," he mentioned.
Mr Morrison mentioned there have been no plans for Australia to interact in army assist for Ukraine, with the measure having not been requested of the federal government.
"We work carefully with NATO and their member states. What we're doing is working with them in different methods," he mentioned.