Protestors rally in Sydney in March 2022, a month after the war started. Photo: DFAT
Australia has announced fresh sanctions against Russian individuals and companies as Ukraine marks three years of war with Russia.
“Australia continues to stand with Ukraine,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says.
He announced fresh targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on 70 persons and financial sanctions on 79 companies.
“This constitutes Australia’s largest sanctions package since February 2022,” he says.
The new sanctions target ministers, judges and prosecutors and individuals responsible for conflict-related sexual violence and the forced deportation of Ukrainian children.
Targets in Russia’s defence, transport and finance sectors and those spreading disinformation, have also been sanctioned.
The supply of commercial drones and components, including the provision of related services, have been prohibited by the Commonwealth.
The sanctions also target persons and entities involved in deepening military co-operation between Russia and North Korea.
“Deepening Russia-North Korea military co-operation is a dangerous expansion of Russia’s war with serious consequences for European and Indo-Pacific security,” Albanese says.
Australia has now imposed a total of more than 1400 sanctions in response to Russia’s invasion and given over $1.5 billion to help Ukraine defend itself, including more than $1.3 billion in military support.
UK REACTION
The UK’s Ambassador to the UN, Barbara Woodford, says there can be no negotiations for peace in Ukraine without that country’s involvement.
“We must not make the mistake of weak deals of the past,” she says.
“This time, there must be peace through strength and that is why there can be no negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine.”
The UK also announced it will ban Kremlin-linked individuals (oligarchs), says Security Minister Dan Jarvis.
“My message to Putin’s friends in Moscow is simple: you are not welcome in the UK,” he says.
Earlier this month, the UK Defence Secretary led a 50-nation strong Ukraine Defence Contact Group for the first time and announced an extra £150 ($298) million firepower package for Ukraine, including drones, tanks and air defence systems.
