Oct. 2 () –
The Australian Government has tightened sanctions against Russia, after Russian President Vladimir Putin proclaimed the annexation of four regions of Ukraine.
The Australian Foreign Office has indicated it will impose additional targeted sanctions and travel bans against “28 Russian-appointed separatists, ministers and senior officials.”
“Among them there are people who flout International Law to legitimize Russia’s illegal actions in Ukraine through false referendums, disinformation and intimidation,” the Foreign Ministry explained in a statement.
“These additional sanctions reinforce Australia’s strong objection to the actions of President Putin and those carrying out his orders,” Foreign Secretary Penny Wong said.
In this sense, Australia has joined the rest of the Western countries that have shown their rejection of the annexation referendum held at the end of September. “Russia’s fake referendums in the occupied areas of Ukraine are illegitimate and have no legal effect,” Canberra said.
“The Lugansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhia regions are sovereign territory of Ukraine. President Putin’s annexation is illegal and any claim that these territories are now part of Russia is unfounded and false,” they added.
In addition, Australia has urged Moscow to comply with international law. The Attorney General, Hon Mark Dreyfus, has reiterated his support for kyiv, above all, when “bringing these proceedings against Russia before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“Our intervention underscores our commitment to uphold the fundamental norms of international law and the integrity of the Genocide Convention,” he declared.
