Australia has swiftly rejected Ukraine’s request to restrict Russian tourists in retaliation for Vladimir Putin’s invasion.
Vasyl Myroshnychenko, the ambassador of Ukraine, also stated that Australia should reopen its embassy in Kiev and claimed that Russians “hate Australia.”
Four eastern European states – Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania – have already prohibited Russian tourists from visiting their country.
The Russian people are responsible for this conflict… Therefore, they must accept responsibility,’ Mr. Myroshnychenko stated.
Australia has rejected a Ukrainian request to exclude Russian tourists from visiting Australia. A jet of the Russian national airline Aeroflot is pictured.
But interim Prime Minister Richard Marles, sitting in for Anthony Albanese while he attends The Queen’s funeral in the United Kingdom, stated that the Russian Government, and not the Russian people, should be punished.
He stated, “This is not something we are considering at this time, but we are an integral component of the global basis of sanctions against the Russian regime.”
Ambassador Myroshnychenko asserted that the overwhelming majority of Russians supported the invasion and despised Australia’s democratic values.
“If you analyze what Russia is saying in Australia – and I’m following numerous Russian-speaking groups – they simply despise Australia,” he stated.
They believe you are only Washington’s pawn. I simply do not believe that (Russian visitors) should be present.
Mr. Marles stated that Australia was committed to assisting Ukraine, which was occupied by Russia about seven months ago, in the “ongoing battle.”
Forty Australian-made Bushmaster military vehicles have already been dispatched to the battlefields of Ukraine, with another 20 en route.
“Our goal is to empower Ukraine so that it can be at the center of whatever resolution is reached.” This must be resolved on their terms,’ stated Mr. Marles.
Australia has stated that Vladimir Putin and the Russian government alone should be punished for the invasion of Ukraine.
Mr. Putin was warned by Chinese premier Xi Jinping during a meeting in the central Asian nation of Uzbekistan that he was concerned about the war after Ukraine recaptured 8,000sqkm of territory.
Mr. Marles stated that even though Russia was being “humiliated” by the invasion, this would not hinder China’s territorial ambitions.
He stated, “I regard their meeting in Uzbekistan as another step in a strengthening friendship between Russia and China.”
This is an element of the strategic environment that we must confront.
Mr. Marles added, “China will be watching this, as will we all, I assume.”
Richard Marles, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, has rejected a request from Ukraine to prohibit Russian tourists from visiting Australia