‘Destruction’: Russia rages over Albanese’s call to block new embassy

The Kremlin has responded to Anthony Albanese’s move to block Russia from building a new embassy near Parliament House.

Russia has accused the Albanese government of acting hysterically after it blocked Moscow from establishing an embassy a stone’s throw away from Parliament House.

Laws drafted to halt the construction of the embassy passed in just over an hour on Thursday after legal attempts to block the development failed.

The Kremlin said it was “yet another unfriendly action” which Russia would “take into account” in the future.

“To our regret, Australia diligently continues to move in the mainstream of the authors of the Russophobic hysteria that is now taking place in the Western countries,” spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian News Agency TASS.

“Another unfriendly display from Australia. We will take this into account and if there are issues on the agenda that require the principle of reciprocity, we will act accordingly.”

The Kremlin accused the Albanese government of hysteria. (Photo by Gavriil GRIGOROV / SPUTNIK / AFP)

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was within Australia’s national security interests to stop the build.

“The government has received very clear security advice as to the risks presented by a new Russian presence so close to Parliament House,” he said on Thursday.

“We are acting quickly to ensure the lease site does not become a formal diplomatic presence.”

He anticipated Russians would not be pleased but said given its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin didn’t have much of a leg to stand on.

“We don't expect that Russia’s in a position to talk about international law, given their rejection of it so consistently and so brazenly with their invasion of Ukraine and the atrocities that have occurred, that are occurring on an ongoing basis,” Mr Albanese said

Russia was granted approval to build a new embassy on the block of land in Yarralumla, some 400m away from Parliament House, in 2011 to replace its ageing Griffith facility.

Years of delays and inaction led to the National Capital Authority to issue an eviction order last year.

But last month, the Federal Court ruled the eviction notice was invalid.

Mr Albanese said he anticipated Russia’s response. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The laws took less than five minutes to be introduced, and passed through the House of Representatives. An hour later, it had passed the Senate.

Home Affairs Minister Clare O‘Neil said the site would not be used for a future diplomatic presence by any country.

“The government has received clear national security advice that this would be a threat to our national security,” she said.

“That is why the government is acting decisively today to bring this longstanding matter to a close.”

Russia’s existing embassy in the inner-south suburb of Griffith will remain.

Originally published as ‘Destruction’: Russia rages over Albanese’s call to block new embassy