Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is imposing sanctions on all federal Australian members of Parliament in response to the supposedly “unfriendly actions” of the government, which has worked in lockstep with democratic allies to penalise Russian officials over the invasion of Ukraine. On April 7, the Russian ministry criticised Australian authorities for following the “collective…

Australia has taken aim at Russian President Vladimir Putin “and his wealthy enablers” by banning the export of luxury goods to Russia, including wine, high value cosmetics, and parts for luxury vehicles. “These sanctions target President Putin and his wealthy enablers, not ordinary Russian consumers,” Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne announced on April 4. Australia…

Australia has taken aim at Russian President Vladimir Putin “and his wealthy enablers” by banning the export of luxury goods to Russia, including wine, high value cosmetics, and parts for luxury vehicles. “These sanctions target President Putin and his wealthy enablers, not ordinary Russian consumers,” Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne announced on April 4. Australia…

Australia’s Defence Minister Peter Dutton has said that Russian President Vladimir Putin should be investigated for war crimes allegedly by Russian forces in the Ukrainian city of Bucha after photos and videos emerged of dead bodies lying in the streets and in mass graves. On April 3, Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba claimed that Russian forces…

The Australian government has placed new sanctions on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, members of his family, as well as 22 Russian “propagandists and disinformation operatives.” Meanwhile, an expert has suggested the sanctions may be a form of deterrence against Belarusian forces joining Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “These latest steps, one month into Russia’s invasion of…

The Australian government has slapped additional sanctions on Russian banks and government entities, which control most of the country’s banking assets and its sovereign debt. The March 18 announcement by Foreign Minister Marise Payne will see the Russian Wealth Fund and Ministry of Finance placed under sanctions, both entities are responsible for issuing and managing…

Australia and the Netherlands have launched a joint action against Russia over the 2014 downing of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17. The action will be filed in the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and names Russia as responsible for the incident under international law. Flight MH17 was shot down on July 17, 2014 while flying over…

The Australian government has announced fresh sanctions on 33 Russian “oligarchs” including notable billionaire and Chelsea football club owner Roman Abramovich. The latest tranche of penalties will cover the heads of Russian state-owned enterprises and the armed forces and follows recent sanctions—numbering around 460—from the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Canada, and New Zealand….

Ukraine’s top diplomat in Australia said the Russian ambassador, Aleksey Pavlovsky, should be “expelled” from the country. “I’m a diplomat. I have to play along with my diplomatic narratives,” Ukrainian Charge d’Affaires Volodymyr Shalkivskyi told reporters at the National Press Club on March 10. “But when you have more than 50 children killed in your…

Australia’s foreign minister has met with the new Chinese ambassador in Sydney amid an ongoing Beijing-instigated diplomatic freeze and has called on the regime to help end the invasion of Ukraine. A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) said Minister Marise Payne had “frank” discussions with Xiao Qian on March 9. “The Minister…