Australia has no plan to ban Russian tourists, Marles says

A call for Australia to follow in the footsteps of several European nations has been rejected as the government eyes off long term support for Ukraine.

A call to ban Russian tourists from Australia has been swiftly rejected by deputy prime minister Richard Marles. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

A call to ban Russian tourists from Australia has been swiftly rejected by deputy prime minister Richard Marles.

Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, urged the government to follow in the footsteps of several eastern European nations.

Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania this month took steps to ban Russians from visiting on tourist visas to heap pressure on President Vladimir Putin.

But the call was dismissed by Mr Marles who noted it should be the regime, not the Russian people, who feel the brunt of foreign governments.

Vasyl Myroshnychenko wants Australia to follow in the footsteps of Poland. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“This is not something we are considering at the moment, but we are very much a part of the global base of sanctions against the Russian regime,” he said.

Australia is eyeing off long-term support to Ukraine, but the government insists how the “protracted conflict” is resolved is up to them.

The federal government has committed 60 Australian-built Bushmasters, of which 40 have been sent to the battleground.

“Our objective is to empower Ukraine itself to be able to be at the centre of however this is resolved. This needs to be resolved on their terms,” Mr Marles said.

60 Bushmasters have been committed to Ukraine as part of Australia’s effort to the war.

During a meeting in Uzbekistan, President Putin noted Xi Jinping’s concerns over the war after a week that saw Ukraine claim 8,000 square kilometres of territory.

Mr Marles said there was a “degree of humiliation” for Russia about the state of the conflict but insisted it would not deter China.

“I see them meeting in Uzbekistan as another step in a growing relationship, to be honest, between Russia and China,” he said.

“That is part of the landscape of strategic circumstances that we have to face.”

Asked what message Beijing should take away from the conflict, Mr Marles remarked people fight for their homeland.

“China will be watching this, as I guess we all are,” he added.

Originally published as Australia has no plan to ban Russian tourists, Marles says