Russia says it’s not irrational after Australian defence minister calls president an ageing dictator amid tensions over Ukraine
Russia’s ambassador has hit back at the Australian defence minister,, for branding Vladimir Putin an ageing and irrational dictator, amid growing tensions over the buildup of more than 100,000 Russian troops near Ukraine’s border.
As concerns grow in the west about the Russian president’s intentions, Pavlovsky also suggested that new sanctions against the country’s officials – which Australia has not ruled out – would have no effect on Moscow’s position but would come at a “high price” to Australia.
Pavlovsky sought to counter the idea that Russia was irrational for being concerned about the expansion of Nato and its push to prevent“There is a campaign trying to portray our concerns as irrational,” he said. The defence minister argued the international community must “put as much pressure on Russia as possible” to prevent a “devastating” invasion of Ukraine.