Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed directly to Australian politicians on Thursday asking for more help in the conflict with Russia, including armoured vehicles and tougher sanctions.
In an address to the Australian Parliament, President Zelenskyy said the fate of global security was now being determined and nations must act.
"The worst pages of the 20th century have been brought back by Russia already. The biggest threats of that century came back. The evil that humanity thought they had forgotten about a long time ago, but the most terrible thing is if we don't stop Russia now, if we don't hold Russia accountable, then other countries in the world who are looking forward to the similar war against their neighbours will decide that such things are possible for them as well. The fate of global security is decided now."
During his speech he called for Russian vessels to be banned from international ports while asking Australia for armored vehicles and tougher sanctions against Moscow.
"We have to stop any intention of Russia to bypass the sanctions, so what kind of sanctions are those that can be bypassed by using simple and cunning schemes, but most of all we have to keep fighting against this evil armed for the evil to be looking for peace, and this has to be decided on the battlefield. For example, you have very good armoured personnel vehicles, Bushmaster, that could help Ukraine substantially and other pieces of equipment that could strengthen our position in terms of armaments. If you have an opportunity to share this with us, we would be very grateful. In Ukraine, they will do much more for our common freedom, our common security than staying parked on your land."
Australia has already promised or provided Ukraine with 91 million [[AUD]] dollars in military assistance, further funds for humanitarian help and 70,000 metric tons of coal.
Earlier on Thursday, the government announced Australia would imposing an additional 35 per cent tariff on all imports from Russia and Belarus starting on the 25th of April.
Oil and energy imports from Russia will be banned from that date while exports of Australian aluminium ore to Russia will also be cancelled.
Sanctions have been imposed on more than 500 individuals and entities in Russia and Belarus, covering 80 per cent of the Russian banking sector and all government entities that handle Russian sovereign debt.
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