Australia’s Stand on Russia VS Ukraine

The first set of Australian sanctions would target eight senior Russian security officers as well as the oil and gas sectors, with the Prime Minister threatening to go after anyone "aiding and abetting" the invasion of Ukraine.

On Wednesday, Scott Morrison met with the cabinet's national security committee, before claiming that the Russian government was "behaving like thugs and bullies" and that "consequences for Russia's actions" were required.

As a result of its actions in Ukraine, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia will join other Western nations in imposing financial sanctions on Russia.

The punishments bring Australia into line with the US and the UK, which issued sanctions overnight.

Mr. Morrison said "The invasion of Ukraine has already begun. This invasion is unjustified, unwarranted, unprovoked, and unacceptably harmful."

"Australians are known for standing up to bullies and will be standing up to Russia."

Transportation, energy, telecommunications, oil, gas, and mineral reserves, as well as many Russian banks, would be targeted by the sanctions imposed on the separatist regions.

The Prime Minister said, “He also expected to impose sanctions on more Russian citizens and entities who seek to benefit from a Russian invasion of Ukraine.”

“Ukrainian visa applications would be moved to "the top of the pile", and more support was being provided.”

Mr. Morrison said, "There are around 430 applications from Ukrainian people to travel to Australia, they're over a number of various visa classes; student visas, family visas, and others, so I've requested for those to be finalized."

Within 24 hours, he said, a full-scale invasion of Ukraine was "likely to occur."

If Russia invades Ukraine, Australia has a bleak future. As Australia already faces high fuel prices, petrol, and diesel costs, .inflation pushes interest rates higher.

Russian President Vladimir Putin received official parliamentary authority to deploy troops abroad hours after allegations that Russian forces had already rolled into rebel-held areas in eastern Ukraine.