Australia has joined Five Eyes allies Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the US in rejecting Russia’s annexation and a referendum on disputed Ukrainian territory.
The Australian government has also announced additional sanctions against those who help organize the referendums taking place in the regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhia.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong Said The federal government has imposed “targeted financial sanctions” on 28 Russian-appointed separatists, ministers and officials who flouted international law to help the Russian government legalize the annexation of the four regions. and travel bans.
“These additional sanctions reinforce Australia’s strong opposition to the actions of President Putin and those carrying out his orders.”The area of Ukraine currently occupied by Russian forces is a sovereign territory of Ukraine. ‘s referendum will not change this.”
The Australian government also said claims that these territories were part of Russia were “baseless and false”.
Australia upholds Ukraine at International Court of Justice
In addition, Australia will also intervene in an International Court of Justice case brought by Ukraine against Russia to support Australia’s claim that Russian authorities violated the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crimes of Genocide.
Australia’s Attorney General Mark Dreyfuss said the intervention demonstrated the government’s commitment to uphold the Genocide Convention.
Dreyfus said, “I support Ukraine in bringing its case against Russia to the International Court of Justice.” “Our intervention underscores our commitment to uphold the fundamental rules of international law and the integrity of the Genocide Convention.”
The federal government also called on the Russian government to immediately comply with a legally binding March order of the International Court of Justice calling for the immediate withdrawal of military forces from Ukraine.
“Russia, as a member of the United Nations, reaffirms its legal obligation to comply with decisions of the International Court of Justice in all cases where Russia is a State Party,” the federal government said.
join allies in condemning land grabbing
The federal move comes after Canada, New Zealand (NZ), and the United States alike refused annexation.
“These so-called referenda were neither free nor fair and were clearly not implemented according to democratic principles,” New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaiah Mahuta said. Said.
“New Zealand remains in solidarity with Ukraine to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity and the rules-based international system,” she said.
Meanwhile, US spokeswoman Carine Jean-Pierre said: called He said the referendum was “illegal and frankly outrageous” and that the country would “never” recognize any attempt to annex Ukrainian territory.
“We will work with allies and partners to impose additional economic costs on Russia and on individuals and entities within and outside Russia who support this action,” she said.
“We will mobilize global opposition to Russia’s annexation attempt, including at the United Nations.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also said he had promised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that he would do everything possible to stop a “fake referendum”.
Rebecca Zhu contributed to this article.
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Victoria Kelly-Clark is an Australia-based reporter focusing on the national politics and geopolitical environment in the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East and Central Asia.