Ukraine war: Australian PM warns China of potential sanctions if Beijing helps arm Russia
- Scott Morrison says Australia would move in lockstep with its allies to sanction China if it has provided military support to Russia in its war with Ukraine
- Morrison tells industries deterioration in trade relations with China caused by Beijing’s refusal to talk
Morrison also criticised China’s move to import Russian wheat while maintaining a “chilling silence” on the crisis, adding that China needed to make clear its dealings with Russia.
“I think it’s very important for China to be very transparent about what is their relationship with Russia when it comes to throwing them an economic lifeline during this global crisis,” Morrison said during a press conference on Wednesday.
“And potentially what, if any, support has been discussed for military support for Russia? Because that would be an abomination.”
Morrison said he would support statements made by other allies and partners such as the United States on the matter. A day earlier, Washington said Russia had asked China for military equipment to support its invasion of Ukraine.
This follows the prime minister’s call last week for China to denounce Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Russia has said it was counting on China to weather the economic sanctions imposed by Western nations.