Defence Minister’s message to China as ‘horrific’ scenes in Ukraine continue

Australia’s Defence Minister has called on China to step in and stop Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

Peter Dutton told Tom Elliott “Putin has a case to answer” over war crimes allegations.

“On all of that evidence … war crimes have taken place. It’s not just the Russian forces but the reports early on about foreign fighters being brought in by Russia to fight in the Ukraine,” he said.

“They don’t know any boundaries at all and I think President Putin has a case to answer here.”

Mr Dutton called on the Chinese government to influence Russia to leave Ukraine and end the conflict.

“The most important thing now is how we bring this barbaric action to an end as quickly as possible,” he said.

“The Chinese government is the only one who has the influence over President Putin to pick the phone up to tell Putin to get out of the Ukraine and allow people to resume their lives.

“It’s horrific scenes that we’re seeing and it’s not stopping yet.”

Press PLAY below to hear Peter Dutton’s call to China + his comments on war crime allegations and Australia’s expedited $3.5 billion defence spend