Australia’s Parliament passed a law that cancelled Russia’s lease of a site for a new embassy building because of a threat to national security. This is reported by ABC.
The site, which Russia has been leasing since 2008, was adjacent to the parliament building in Canberra, and MPs felt that such proximity entailed risks of espionage.
The bill was introduced in Parliament by the Australian government on June 15 and approved in an hour, ABC notes.
Australian authorities emphasize that they do not prohibit Russia from having diplomatic representations on the territory of the country, but only want the new embassy not to be located near the parliament.
Moscow has previously stated that it will challenge the ban in court.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albaniz responded that it was not for Russia to talk about international law, “given that it rejects it so consistently and so brazenly with its invasion of Ukraine”.
Since the Russian military invasion of Ukraine began, Australia has provided Kiev with military aid and imposed sanctions on hundreds of Russian citizens and companies.
