On 18 March 2019, the Minister for Foreign Affairs announced that Australia was joining the US, UK, Canada and EU member states in imposing targeted financial sanctions and travel bans against seven Russian individuals for their role in the interception and seizure of Ukrainian naval vessels that were attempting to pass through the Kerch Strait. Australia is concerned by this escalation of tensions in the Sea of Azov in November 2018.
The announcement said that Australia condemns the aggression and called on Russia to release the detained Ukrainian sailors and seized vessels without delay. We also call on Russia to allow free and unencumbered passage of Ukrainian and international ships through the Kerch Strait and the Sea of Azov.
Australia does not recognise any actions seeking to legitimise the annexation of Crimea or the secession of parts of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has therefore also imposed targeted financial sanctions and travel bans against three ‘leaders’ from separatist-controlled parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine following so-called elections in November 2018.
Details of these 10 individuals are in DFAT’s Consolidated List of individuals and entities subject to targeted sanctions under Australian law. This list is available on DFAT’s website.
