Australia announces the largest package of sanctions against Russia

As a sign of support for Ukraine, Australia has adopted the largest sanctions package since 2022 against 70 individuals and 79 organizations associated with Russia.

“Australia has made it clear from day one that Russia and those who facilitate its illegal invasion will face consequences. Today, the Australian government has imposed additional targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on 70 individuals and targeted financial sanctions on 79 organizations. This is Australia’s largest package of sanctions since February 2022,” the Australian government’s website reports.

The report notes that the new sanctions are aimed at individuals who support Russia’s illegal administrations in eastern Ukraine and Crimea, including so-called “ministers,” judges, and prosecutors, as well as individuals responsible for conflict-related sexual violence and the forced deportation of Ukrainian children.

The Australian sanctions also target individuals and entities involved in deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, including the deployment of North Korean troops on the battlefield.

“The deepening of Russian-North Korean military cooperation is a dangerous expansion of the Russian war, which has serious consequences for European and Indo-Pacific security.”

“In response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Australia has imposed a total of more than 1,400 sanctions.”

The government adds that Australia has allocated more than $1.5 billion to help Ukraine defend itself against the Russian invasion, including more than $1.3 billion in military support in the form of necessary equipment on the battlefield and training for the Ukrainian military.

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles and Liberal Party (opposition) leader Peter Dutton said that Trump was wrong in his statements about Volodymyr Zelenskyy and that peace in Ukraine should be achieved on Kyiv’s terms, as Russia is the aggressor.