Australian PM Abbott: Russia a ‘bully’

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Friday dubbed Russia “a bully” and threatened stronger sanctions against the country following Moscow’s ban on most Western food imports.

Mr. Abbott said the ban would have a relatively small impact on Australia. And he warned Russian President Vladimir Putin to call off the thousands of Russian troops that have amassed at the Ukrainian border.

Mr. Abbott said if Mr. Putin wants to avoid becoming an international outcast, he must pull Russian troops back.

Mr. Putin on Thursday banned most food imports from the West in retaliation for sanctions imposed on his country related to the crisis in Ukraine.