Canberra toughens Russian sanctions over Ukraine attacks

AUSTRALIA has toughened its sanctions against Moscow in ­response to intensifying Russian attacks on Ukraine.

Pro-Russian rebels prepare arms for the the assault on the Ukrainian army in Donetsk airport, eastern Ukraine on Sunday.

AUSTRALIA has toughened its sanctions against Moscow in ­response to intensifying Russian attacks on Ukraine.

Tony Abbott told parliament yesterday Australia would lift its sanctions against Russia to match those of the EU.

He warned that Russia risked becoming an international pariah.

“There will be no new arms exports, there will be no new access by Russian state-owned banks to the Australian capital market, there will be no new exports for use in the oil and gas industry, there will be no new trade or investment in the Crimea and there will be further targeted financial sanctions and travel bans against specific individuals,” the Prime Minister said.

Mr Abbott said the Ukraine situation would be a key issue this week at the NATO summit in Wales, to be attended by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Defence Minister David Johnston.

“I want to make it absolutely clear that the bullying of small ­nations by big ones and assertions that might is right should have no place in our world,” Mr Abbott said.

Bill Shorten said Labor would support the government in taking the strongest action possible.

The Opposition Leader said it was time for tighter, escalating sanctions against the Russian government because of its unlawful actions in a neighbouring country.

Mr Abbott said for months Russia had been running a proxy campaign to destabilise Ukraine in clear breach and defiance of international law.

In July, Russian-backed rebels shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 using Russian-­supplied weapons, murdering 38 Australians, he said.

“This was so much worse than a tragedy,” Mr Abbott said. “It was an atrocity.”

Now Russia was deliberately and openly violating Ukrainian sovereignty and at least 1000 Russian soldiers were operating openly inside Ukraine, according to NATO.

NATO had released images showing combat forces, equipped with heavy weapons and armoured vehicles, in operation inside Ukraine. At least 2500 people had been killed in the conflict.

“Let us be clear about what is happening,” Mr Abbott said.

“Russia started it and Russia must take responsibility for this loss of life.

“Russia quite brazenly is trying to break eastern Ukraine away from Ukraine, into a separate country.

“If Russian troops remain in Ukraine and if Russia persists in its attempts to break up a neighbouring country that has done it no harm, Russia risks becoming an international pariah.”