Russia ‘indefinitely’ bans 121 Australians from entering country over ‘Russophobic agenda’

A massive list of 121 well-known Australians have been added to Russia’s blacklist, with the group “indefinitely” banned from the country.

Russia has announced sanctions on an additional 121 Australian citizens, including business people, reporters and defence officials, citing a “Russophobic agenda”.

The blacklist has been put together in response to “the growing sanctions of the Australian government, which apply to an increasing number of Russian citizens,” according to Russia’s foreign ministry.

ABC Chair Ita Buttrose has been barred “indefinitely” from entering Russia.

Among the individuals now barred from entering the country “indefinitely” are journalists from The Australian, ABC News, Sydney Morning Herald and Sky News, as well as various defence officials, the ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

Other people on the list include Defence Force Chief General Angus Campbell, AI researcher Toby Walsh, ABC Chair Ita Buttrose, 60 Minutes reporter Liz Hayes, and The Australian’s editor-in-chief Christopher Dore.

Australian mining magnate Gina Rinehart, Seven West Media chairman Kerry Stokes, Andrew Forrest and South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas have also been added to the list.

Channel 9's 60 Minutes reporter Liz Hayes has also been banned from entering the country.

Former Treasurer of Australia Peter Costello is also on the list. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Daniel Pockett

Russia has accused the sanctioned figures of promoting a “Russophobic agenda” and said that the blacklist would be expanded in the future.

In April, Moscow announced entry bans on the leaders of Australia and New Zealand in tit-for-tat measures after Canberra and Wellington imposed sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

Russian military commanders and close associates of Putin, along with press secretary Dmitry Peskov and Foreign Ministry director of information Maria Zakharova were among those sanctioned.

Russian President Vladimir Putin pictured in Moscow on June 9, 2022. Picture: Mikhail Metzel / SPUTNIK / AFP.

Russia announced a similar move against dozens of British journalists on Tuesday, in what Moscow said was a response to Western sanctions and the “spreading of false information about Russia”.

Putin’s ‘warm and friendly’ chat with Xi

It comes as a “warm and friendly” phone call between Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping has sparked renewed speculation over the concerningly cosy relationship between the two leaders.

This week, the pair enjoyed their second chat since the war in Ukraine began in late February – and in an alarming sign, the Chinese President confirmed his support for Russia’s “sovereignty and security”.

The call – which took place on Mr Xi’s 69th birthday and which has been described as being “warm and friendly” – has been seen as the clearest sign yet of China’s backing of Mr Putin as the brutal war in Ukraine rages on, with the Kremlin claiming Mr Xi confirmed the “legitimacy of Russia’s actions in protecting its fundamental national interests in the face of security challenges created by external forces”.

“China is willing to push for the steady and long-term development of bilateral pragmatic co-operation. China is willing to mutually support Russia on core interests and matters of paramount concern, such as sovereignty and security, as well as [achieve] closer strategic co-operation,” state broadcaster CCTV also quoted Mr Xi as saying.

“From this year, facing global turbulence and transformations, Sino-Russian relations have maintained a good momentum for development.

“The economic and trade co-operation between the two countries is progressing smoothly.”