THE Australia will not ban Russian tourists from entering the country as part of the sanctions on Russia over the war in ukraine said the Defense Minister, Richard Marles .
Since the start of the conflict, Australia has sanctioned hundreds of Russian individuals and entities, including most of the Russian banking sector and all organizations responsible for the country’s sovereign debt.
It also provided defense equipment and humanitarian supplies to Ukraine, while banning exports of alumina and aluminum ore, including bauxite, to Russia.
Asked whether Australia would also ban Russian tourists, Marles said the sanctions are aimed at Russia’s government, “not the Russian people themselves”.
“That’s not something we’re considering right now,” he told ABC television.
Marles declined to know whether Australia would supply more Bushmasters and other protected vehicles to Ukraine following a recent request from the Ukrainian ambassador to Australia.
“We will look at how we can provide this ongoing support,” Marles said, calling Australia “one of the biggest non-NATO military supporters for Ukraine.”
Australia in July pledged 60 Bushmasters and 28 M113AS4 armored vehicles to Ukraine as part of more than A$385 million in military assistance.
Marles said Australia’s deal with the United States and Britain to build nuclear-powered submarines under an alliance dubbed AUKUS remains “on track”.
In June, Australia reached a €555 million deal with French military shipyard Naval Group over its 2021 decommissioning of a multi-billion conventional submarine deal in favor of nuclear-powered submarines via AUKUS.
“We are confident that we will be able to make an announcement on which submarine in the first half of next year,” Marles said, adding that it is important not to view the submarine procurement process as “some sort of competition between the US and the UK.” .
“Both countries are working very closely with us to help us acquire this capability,” he said.
Source: CNN Brasil
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