Further sanctions to support Ukraine

Australia will expand financial sanctions and travel bans on targeted Russian and Ukrainian individuals and entities to reaffirm Australia's clear and unequivocal support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.

I remain deeply concerned by the escalation of events in the east of Ukraine, which has resulted in tragic loss of life. Australia stands united with the Ukrainian people in this ordeal and calls on Russia again to change course. The deliberate destabilisation within Ukraine must stop.

Since Russia has failed to take practical steps to de-escalate the crisis so far, I have decided to expand Australia's financial sanctions and travel bans to cover an additional 38 Russian and Ukrainian individuals and 11 entities.

This will take the total number of financial sanctions and travel bans imposed by Australia to 50 individuals and 11 entities.

Australia looks to Russia to exercise its influence and to restrain those responsible for violence and disorder. Russia must take concrete and demonstrable steps toward de-escalation of the situation, in line with the commitments it made in Geneva on 17 April.

We welcome the ongoing, positive steps taken by the Government of Ukraine to implement its Geneva commitments and also its preparations for Presidential elections on 25 May. It is in Australia's national interest to have a democratic Ukraine able to determine its own future, and to protect a rules-based international order.

Australia continues to urge the Russian Government to abide by its international obligations, including its responsibility as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, for the maintenance of international peace and security.