Australia lands on Russia's list of 'unfriendly' countries: 'Badge of honour'

Australia has reportedly been included in a list of so-called “unfriendly” countries by Russia as it continues to feel the pressure of widespread sanctions imposed by western nations.

The Russian government led by President Vladimir Putin approved the lengthy list that includes the US, European Union and United Kingdom amid its raging war with Ukraine, Interfax news agency reports.

Apart from countries, it also features foreign territories that, according to officials in Moscow, have committed hostile actions against Russia, its companies and citizens.

The full list, according to Interfax, includes the 27 member states of the EU and the following: Australia, Albania, Andorra, the UK (including Jersey and British overseas territories like Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, Gibraltar), Iceland, Canada, Liechtenstein, Micronesia, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, San Marino, North Macedonia, Singapore, the US, Taiwan, Ukraine, Montenegro, Switzerland, and Japan.

Until now, it only included the US and the Czech Republic.

The list was signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and is part of the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation issued on March 5 on the temporary procedure for fulfilling obligations with certain foreign creditors, according to Interfax.

In practical terms, the resolution allows Russian companies, citizens, or the government itself to pay debts to foreign creditors in “unfriendly” countries with roubles.

The Russian rouble has been recording big losses for days and a growing number of multinational businesses, more recently including Netflix and TikTok, have cut off Russia from vital financial services, technology and a variety of consumer products.

US credit card companies Visa, Mastercard and American Express all said over the weekend they would cut service in Russia.

Australia to impose fresh sanctions against Russia

Australia will impose a fresh round of sanctions against Russia, targeting people who disseminate propaganda to try and legitimise the country’s “unprovoked and unjustified” invasion of Ukraine, Foreign Minister Marise Payne announced on Tuesday.

Ten people with a strategic interest in Russia will be sanctioned for encouraging hostility towards Ukraine and driving false claims that a genocide was taking place against ethnic Russians.

Senator Payne said other financial sanctions will be imposed on Russia's armed forces, as well as six senior military commanders “responsible for implementing naval, ground and air attacks on Ukraine”.

She said the Australian Government is working with online platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Google to halt disinformation generated by Russian state media.

Defence Minister Peter Dutton told ABC Radio on Tuesday Australia’s inclusion on Russia’s hostile list was a “badge of honour”.

“I think if we have, as a world, a united front against Russia's aggression, then I think that's a good thing," he said.

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Peace talks between Ukraine and Russia stall

A third round of peace talks between the two countries has once again failed, with Ukrainian negotiator Mykhailo Podolyak saying although small progress on agreeing logistics for the evacuation of civilians had been made, things remained largely unchanged.

Russia has warned it does not expect the next round — reportedly to take place on Thursday — to bring a final result.

Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky told journalists the talks were "not easy".

The news comes after Ukraine claimed it had killed another Russian general in Kharkiv.

Major General Vitaly Gerasimov, first deputy commander of Russia's 41st army, was killed on Monday, the Chief Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine's defence ministry said.

Ukraine says its forces have killed more than 11,000 Russian troops. Russia has confirmed about 500 losses.

With EPE, REUTERS and AAP

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