Australia slaps Russia with sanctions over Ukraine crisis

AUSTRALIA has ramped up its economic and trade sanctions against Russia in protest at Moscow sending troops and heavy weaponry across the border into Ukraine.

A handout picture released on August 26, 2014 by the Russian President press office shows Russian President Vladimir Putin as he takes part in a meeting in Minsk on August 26, 2014. The presidents of Russia and Ukraine hold key talks on August 26 with little hopes for a breakthrough in the conflict pitting the former Soviet state against pro-Russian separatist rebels. AFP PHOTO / RIA NOVOSTI / KREMLIN POOL / ALEXEI DRUZHININ

AUSTRALIA has ramped up its economic and trade sanctions against Russia in protest at Moscow sending troops and heavy weaponry across the border into Ukraine.

Prime Minister Tony ­Abbott on Monday outlined a further list of sanctions against Russia, including banning Russian state-owned banks from accessing Australian capital, preventing any exports that ­assist Russia’s oil and gas ­industries, and ending any arms trading.

A further 63 Russians will be banned from travelling to Australia — but the ban does not include Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is still on the guest list for the G20 talks in Brisbane in November.

Mr Abbott again criticised Moscow over the shooting down of Malaysia Airline Flight MH17, killing 298 people. “Russia has been engaged in a campaign to destabilise Ukraine for months,’’ Mr Abbott told Parliament.

“In July, Russian-backed rebels shot down Flight MH17 using Russian-supplied weapons, thus murdering 38 Australians. This was so much worse than a tragedy; it was an atrocity.”

The Australian sanctions are now equivalent to those levelled against Moscow by European nations.

There are now 113 individuals banned from travelling to, or through, Australia, and 32 entities.

Mr Abbott said the sanctions “reaffirm Australia’s clear and unequivocal support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine’’.

Australia first imposed sanctions in March, to which Russia responded later by banning Australian agricultural exports including beef, pork, fruit, vegetables, poultry, fish, cheese, milk and other dairy products.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten had on Friday called for tougher sanctions against Russia as international concern grew about Moscow’s actions in Ukraine, which Kiev has warned is sending the two countries towards all-out war.

NATO said at the weekend that there were about 1000 Russian soldiers aiding pro-Moscow separatists.