121 Australians Sanctioned for ‘Russophobic Agenda’

Russia Sanctions 121 Australian Leaders, Media Personalities and Experts Amidst Russian-Ukrainian War

Ukrainian service members fire a BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launch system, near the town of Lysychansk, Luhansk region, Ukraine, on June 12, 2022. Gleb Garanich/Reuters

Moscow has accused Australians of supporting a “Russophobic agenda,” sanctioning 121 Australians including a state leader, media personalities, and academics who have reported or spoke in support of the Ukrainian war effort.

“In response to the growing sanctions of the Australian government, which apply to an increasing number of Russian citizens—both officials and their families, as well as representatives of the business community and the media—an additional 121 Australians from among the leaders of security forces are added to the Russian “stop list,” according to a statement from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 16.

The Russian government said the “businessmen, experts, and journalists” on the list were engaged in a “Russophobic agenda” and they were barred from entering Russia indefinitely.

Australia has been at the forefront of supporting the Ukrainian government in their defence of the country with the government providing $26.7 million (US$19.1 million) worth of military assistance, including six M777 lightweight towed howitzers along with ammunition, to bolster the country’s resistance to the Russian invasion.

Among those blocked was South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas who responded to the news saying he was “very grateful” that the Russian President Vladimir Putin had noticed the role his state was playing in its support of Ukraine.

“My government has sought to do a number of things to send a very clear message that the people of South Australia stand firmly with Ukraine, as does every state and territory, and I am just grateful for the fact that Vladimir Putin took notice,” Malinauskas said.

Premier of South Australia Peter Malinauskas listens to Labor Leader Anthony Albanese speak at a press conference during a visit to Cabra Dominican College in Adelaide, Australia on May 20, 2022. Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Malinauskas, whose family is Lithuanian, also noted that his family knew all too well the tragedy that can happen from Russian territorial aggression.

“My heritage, Malinauskas is a Lithuanian last name, my family knows all too well the human tragedy that can occur in the face of unacceptable Russian aggression and I am very proud of the fact that my government has played a leadership role and I look forward to doing that in the future.”

In a post written on the social media platform Twitter, Malinauskas also said his government would not be bullied, “Vladimir Putin, I won’t be bullied, the State Government won’t be bullied and I will continue to stand up for democracy.”

Other Australians singled out included the national broadcaster’s chair Ita Buttrose, News Corp co-chairman Lachlan Murdoch, Australian Defence Force Chief General Angus Campbell, as well as mining magnates Andrew Forrest and Gina Rhinehart.

Also in the mix were academics John Blaxland and Matthew Sussex from the Australian National University; journalists Stan Grant, Andrew Bolt, and Liz Hayes; as well as Atlassian co-founders Mike Cannon-Brookes and Scott Farquhar.

ABC Chairwoman Ita Buttrose addresses the National Press Club in Canberra, Australia, on May 5, 2021. AAP Image/Lukas Coch

Russia has also warned more names could be added if Australia did not abandon its “anti-Russian course and continues to produce new sanctions.”

The Australian government has sanctioned 827 individuals and 62 entities associated with the Russian and Belarussian authorities.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has invited Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to Kyiv during the prime minister’s next visit to Europe to attend the NATO meeting in Spain at the end of June.

The Australian prime minister has remained tight-lipped about whether he would take up the invitation saying that he would seek advice about the security issues involved in the visit.

“Obviously, there are security issues as well in terms of such a visit,” Albanese said noting that he appreciated the spirit in which the invitation had been offered.

“One of the reasons why Australia has been invited to NATO is that Australia is the largest non-NATO contributor to give support to Ukraine in its defence of its national sovereignty against Russia’s illegal, immoral invasion and we will continue to stand with the people of Ukraine.”