Australia imposes sanctions on Putin, supports Russia's expulsion from SWIFT

“We are holding Russian President Vladimir Putin to account for his egregious unjustified war against Ukraine. From midnight last night, Australian targeted financial sanctions and travel bans came into effect on the Russian President and remaining permanent members of Russia’s Security Council: Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, and Internal Affairs Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev,” reads the statement by PM of Australia.

As noted, Australia also “will work with NATO and our other partners to provide lethal as well as non-lethal military equipment, medical supplies, and financial assistance to support the people of Ukraine. As an immediate measure, Australia will contribute US$3 million to NATO’s Trust Fund for Ukraine to support non-lethal military equipment and medical supplies. Details of Australia’s contribution of lethal military equipment are being worked through with our partners and will be announced soon.”

While we expect that the SWIFT measures as announced will be implemented at a global level, we will take complementary steps as required, the PM of Australia added.

As reported, the European Commission, France, Germany, Italy, Great Britain, Canada, and the United States issued a joint statement expressing solidarity with the people of Ukraine and announcing removal of a number of Russian banks from global payments messaging system, freeze of Russia’s Central Bank assets, etc. Personal sanctions against Russian president Vladimir Putin were also announced.

Putin declared war on Ukraine on February 24 and launched a large-scale invasion. Russian troops have been shelling and destroying key infrastructure. Missiles hit residential buildings.

Martial law was imposed in Ukraine and general mobilization was announced.

Ukraine officially filed a lawsuit against the Russian Federation at the UN International Court of Justice in The Hague.

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