Australia introduced sanctions against Russia over the events in Ukraine. A source in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moscow said that it is regrettable that Canberra was unable to understand the true causes of the conflict in Ukraine.
According to Bishop, the sanctions coincide with the sanctions imposed by the EU towards Russia, Canada and the United States. According to the statement, these sanctions extend to the targeted financial sanctions as well as a ban on entry into Australia of a number of individuals that were listed in June and September 2014.
"It seems like an echo of Western illegal restrictions have reached the Australian continent. It was an awkward announcement that stated that Australia has introduced economic sanctions against the Russian Federation. We are regretting that despite the fact that the beginning of the Ukrainian event started a long time ago, Canberra could not understand the true cause of the conflict in Ukraine,” a source in the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
"Apparently, due to its geographical remoteness, Australia doesn’t know about the Minsk Treaty and the report of a peace agreement adopted in Minsk on February 12, which was achieved largely due to the efforts made by Russia, will reach Canberra not before the summer. Right now it is Kiev that is consistently undermining the agreed provisions. Isn’t it time for Canberra to objectively and independently assess what is actually happening?” added the source.
