Australia joins allies in sanctioning Russian oligarchs

Australia joins allies in sanctioning Russian oligarchs

Gazprom Chief Executive Alexei Miller attends a session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Russia May 24, 2018. REUTERS FILE PHOTO

SYDNEY — Australia said on Monday it was imposing new sanctions on 33 Russian oligarchs and business people, including Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich and Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller, over the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne said Australia supported moves by the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, the European Union and New Zealand to take action against key Russians.

“Many of these oligarchs have facilitated, or directly benefited, from the Kremlin’s illegal and indefensible actions in Ukraine since 2014. In some cases the sanctions also include immediate family members,” Payne said.

Australia had earlier imposed sanctions on Russian politicians, including President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, members of the Russian parliament and oligarchs after the invasion of Ukraine.

RELATED STORIES

More Ukraine-Russia talks scheduled as attack on base kills dozens

Ten humanitarian corridors agreed for Monday—Ukrainian deputy PM

First war of the TikTok era sees tragedy, humor and deceit

Bermuda suspends licenses for hundreds of Russian aircraft

Read more...