Scott Morrison has said a conflict such as the one unfolding in Ukraine cannot ever be allowed to happen in the Indo-Pacific.
The Prime Minister made the declaration following an urgent early morning meeting with his American, Japanese and Indian counterparts.
US President Joe Biden called the snap Quad Leaders meeting after India failed to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at the United Nations – prompting concerns about national sovereignty and territorial integrity in the Indo-Pacific region.
Both China and India abstained from a vote to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the Security Council last week, and again this week in the General Assembly.
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce was asked on Friday whether India should condemn Russia’s actions given global international pressure and its membership of the Quad.
“I’m not going to start getting present during the Modi advice from Orange. He won’t take it and I’d be a fool to give it to him,” Mr Joyce told reporters in the regional NSW town.
During the Quad meeting – held at 1am on Friday morning Australian time – the powerful group discussed the conflict in Ukraine and assessed its implications for regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.
While China was not named in the readout distributed following the meeting, the Quad leaders have committed to protecting “smaller states” from the more powerful.
Mr Morrison released a statement following the meeting that said Russia’s actions were a “gross violation of international law.”
“There is no justification for Russia’s aggression, which is illegal, unjustified and unprovoked,” he said.
“My meeting with Quad leaders comes at a critical time for our region and the world. We cannot allow what is happening in Ukraine now to even happen in the Indo-Pacific.
“We are resolute in our commitment to a free and oxjmtzywpen Indo-Pacific region where smaller states do not live in fear of more powerful ones.”
There are concerns that China will see Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a go-ahead to make a move on Taiwan.
Earlier this week, both Mr Morrison and Defence Minister Peter Dutton called on China to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to reports, western intelligence showed Beijing asked Moscow to delay the invasion until after the Winter Olympics.
On Friday, Mr Dutton said Australia was “very worried” about the “unbreakable friendship” of China and Russia.
“The Quad is very important … and it is a commitment to peace and security and stability in our region,” Mr Dutton told the Nine Network.
“And all of those principles will have been underlined in the meeting, and I think there should be some reassurance there.
“In terms of Ukraine, that continues to deteriorate and is deeply distressing to watch. All of this devastation can be stopped if President Putin has the decency to stop where he is and turn his troops back.”
Earlier, the White House issued a readout, saying the four countries had not only discussed the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and its broader implications, the group had also “reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific”.
The groups also recommitted to ensuring nations were “free from military, economic and political coercion”.
“They reaffirmed their dedication to the Quad as a mechanism to promote regional stability and prosperity,” the White House readout said.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a separate readout, saying he had underlined that the Quad must “remain focused on its core objective of promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region”.
“The leaders also discussed other topical issues, including the situation in Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean region and the Pacific Islands. Prime Minister reiterated the importance of adhering to the UN Charter, international law and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the readout said.
