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The prime minister has condemned Beijing’s passive response to Russia’s military assault on Ukraine.
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In the early hours of Thursday (24 February), Russia launched a military assault on Ukraine, shelling a number of regions across the nation’s east, including the city of Donetsk.
In response, the Ukrainian government declared a 30-day state of emergency while mobilising forces against Russian aggressors.
Russian President Vladimir Putin described the attack as a “special military operation”, claiming the assault is a response to the Ukrainian government’s efforts to build ties with NATO.
However, the attack has been widely condemned by the international community, with US President Joe Biden describing it as an “unprovoked and unjustified” invasion.
Following an emergency meeting in New York, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called on Russia to withdraw its forces.
"President Putin, in the name of humanity, bring your troops back to Russia," he said.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is among the leaders to call for a withdrawal of Russian forces, joining a number of his Indo-Pacific counterparts.
China, however, has been noticeably silent, with President Xi Jinping yet to condemn the violation of Ukrainian sovereignty.
Further, reports in the South China Morning Post have surfaced suggesting China has eased trade restrictions on Russia amid the imposition of strong sanctions from the international community.
Reacting to the reports, Prime Minister Morrison expressed concern over China’s response.
“At a time when the world was seeking to put additional sanctions on Russia, they have eased restrictions on trade of Russian wheat into China,” he said.
“So, at a time when Australia — together with the United Kingdom, the Unite States, Europe, and Japan — are acting to cut off Russia, the Chinese government is following through on easing trade restrictions with Russia.
“That is simply unacceptable. China seeks to play a positive role in world affairs.”
He welcomed China’s call for peace but said China’s actions have not been consistent with its rhetoric.
“[You] don't go and throw a lifeline to Russia in the middle of a period when they're invading another country,” PM Morrison continued.
The prime minister also addressed comments from Beijing suggesting there was a security pretext for the invasion.
“There is none,” he said.
“Ukraine poses no threat to Russia, they are the victim of hostile, aggressive, and unlawful actions and should be called out as such, particularly by very large global powers who should not be sending them a lifeline.”
[Related: Russia launches military assault on Ukraine]
