Further actions in response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine

Leader of the Government in the Senate
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Senator the Hon Penny Wong

Attorney-General
Cabinet Secretary
The Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP

Joint media release

The Australian Government will impose further costs on Russia for its unilateral, illegal and immoral war on Ukraine.

Additional targeted financial sanctions and travel bans will be imposed on 28 Russian appointed separatists, ministers and senior officials.

Among them are individuals who are flouting international law to legitimise Russia’s illegal actions in Ukraine through sham referenda, disinformation and intimidation.

Russia’s sham referenda in occupied areas of Ukraine are illegitimate and have no legal effect.

The regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia are sovereign Ukrainian territory. President Putin’s annexation is illegal and any claims that these territories are now part of Russia are baseless and false.

Australia has also filed an intervention in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) case brought by Ukraine against Russia, supporting Ukraine’s claims Russia has violated the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention).

Australia continues to call on Russia to immediately comply with the ICJ’s legally binding order of 16 March 2022 to immediately withdraw its military forces from Ukraine.

We remind Russia that as a member of the United Nations, Russia is legally obliged to comply with decisions of the ICJ in any case to which it is a party.

Australia will continue to coordinate closely with our partners to impose high costs on those responsible for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Attributable to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong

“These additional sanctions reinforce Australia’s strong objection to the actions of President Putin and those carrying out his orders.

“The areas of Ukraine currently occupied by Russian forces are the sovereign territory of Ukraine. No sham referendum will change this.

Attributable to the Attorney-General, the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP

“We stand with Ukraine in bringing these proceedings against Russia before the International Court of Justice.

“Our intervention underscores our commitment to upholding fundamental rules of international law and the integrity of the Genocide Convention.”