- The Hon Tim Watts MP, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs
Two years on since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Australia mourns Ukraine’s losses, and we stand unwavering in our support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Australia remains steadfast in supporting Ukraine to defend itself, and to holding those responsible for Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion to account.
Today the Australian Government has imposed further targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on 55 persons, and targeted financial sanctions on 37 entities.
The new sanctions target those involved in Russia’s deportation of Ukrainian children from regions under temporary Russian control. This follows the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue arrest warrants for President Putin and Russia’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights Maria Lvova-Belova for the war crime of unlawful deportation.
We have also sanctioned targets in Russia’s defence, energy, media and minerals sectors, as well as targets involved in Russia’s procurement networks in Belarus, Iran and North Korea. These sanctions reflect the Australian Government’s position that those supporting Russia’s illegal war will face consequences.
Australia has now imposed more than 1,200 sanctions in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Today’s sanctions build on last week’s announcement that the Albanese Government is providing $50 million to the International Fund for Ukraine, directly supporting the procurement of priority military capabilities. This contribution takes Australia’s overall support to Ukraine to approximately $960 million, including $780 million in military support.
Australia again calls on Russia, and its supporters, to immediately end this senseless war.
Today and every day, Australia stands with Ukraine and its people.
