Lexi Webster
Australia and Russia have historically had a tumultuous relationship, with Russia once considering establishing a colony in Australia and more recently, in 2022, invading Ukraine, leading to Australia imposing sanctions and strengthening its military ties with NATO to support Ukraine. Australia has cautioned its citizens against travelling to Russia due to the risk of arbitrary detention or arrest, negative attitudes towards foreigners, and the possibility of conscription for those with Russian heritage. Russia's proximity to Australia, its nuclear capabilities, and its political and defence ties with Southeast Asia also highlight the importance of Australia staying informed about Russia's actions and their potential impact on the region.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current relations between Australia and Russia | Strained due to Australia's deepening collaboration with NATO, sanctions on Russia, and support for Ukraine |
| Australians in Russia | At risk of arbitrary detention or arrest, negative comments from Russian authorities, limited consular assistance from the Australian government |
| Travel routes between Russia and Europe | Often disrupted due to measures related to the Ukraine conflict; several Russian airports are closed to the public |
| Australia's knowledge of Russia | Dwindling, with a need to enhance Russia literacy and expertise |
| Russia's actions | Have consequences for Australia, including potential basing of long-range aircraft near Australian shores |
| Russia's political and security elite | Perceive Russia as a great power with interests and influence worldwide |
| Russia's nuclear capabilities | Possesses more than 5,500 nuclear warheads, the most of any nation |
| Australia's sanctions on Russia | Over 1,400 sanctions, including on Russia's shadow fleet of oil tankers |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's sanctions on Russia
Australia has imposed over 1,500 sanctions on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine. These sanctions target Russia's defence, energy, transport, insurance, electronics, and finance sectors, as well as the promulgators of Russian disinformation and propaganda.
The sanctions include restrictions on the export or supply of certain goods, such as machinery and related parts, to Russia and areas of Ukraine under Russian control. It is also prohibited to import, purchase, or transport certain goods from Russia, including oil, refined petroleum products, natural gas, coal, and other energy products, as well as gold exported from Russia.
Australia has also imposed sanctions on specified Russian banks, companies engaged in military equipment or services, and certain individuals and entities. These sanctions may prevent the performance of contracts involving commercial payments to or by sanctioned entities or persons.
To obtain a sanctions permit for activities that would otherwise be prohibited, applicants must demonstrate that the activity is in the "national interest" and meets specific criteria. The Australian government advises allowing up to three months for processing the permit.
In addition to these sanctions, Australia has deepened its collaboration with NATO and has contributed over $1.5 billion in support of Ukraine since the start of the war.
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Australia-Russia relations
In the 1820s, Russian ships frequently visited Sydney Cove, mooring at a place that became known as Russian Point. This caused concern among the colony authorities, who reported their worries to London. In the late 1830s, relations between Russia and Britain deteriorated, and the Government of New South Wales established fortifications at Fort Denison and other locations to repel a feared Russian invasion. This paranoia of a Russian invasion intensified during the gold rush of the 1840s and 1850s, coinciding with the Crimean War between the UK and Russia. In 1855, the Colony built fortifications around Admiralty House and completed Fort Denison due to fears of an invasion by the Pacific Ocean Fleet of the Imperial Russian Navy.
In the late 19th century, Nicholai Miklukho-Maklai advocated for the establishment of a Russian protectorate on the Maclay Coast in New Guinea, reflecting his ideas of Russian expansionism in the region. He sent reports to those in power in Saint Petersburg, noting the growth of anti-Russian sentiment and the buildup of the military in Australia. Despite his efforts, the Russian government officially declined his request in 1886. Paranoia of a Russian invasion subsided in 1888 when Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich arrived in the Colony on board the corvette Rynda, becoming the first Russian naval visitor to Newcastle. The visit was marked by celebrations and the fostering of goodwill between the two nations.
In recent years, Australia-Russia relations have been strained due to Russia's invasion of Crimea in 2014 and the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, which resulted in the deaths of 38 Australians. Australia imposed sanctions on Russia and has since joined its partners in condemning Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine as a breach of international law. Australia has imposed more than 1,500 sanctions on Russia and has limited bilateral cooperation, only engaging when critical to national interests. Australia has deepened its collaboration with NATO and provided over $1.5 billion in support to Ukraine. In response, Russia placed Australia on a list of "unfriendly countries."
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Travel advice for Australians in Russia
As of 2023, Australians are advised to avoid all travel to Russia due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, security incidents, and the high likelihood of terrorist attacks. The Australian government has imposed more than 1500 sanctions on Russia and is deepening its collaboration with NATO to support Ukraine.
If you are an Australian citizen currently in Russia, you should review your personal security plans and remain vigilant at all times. Avoid any public comments or social media posts about political developments, and be aware that there is a high risk of arbitrary detention or arrest, particularly in response to Western countries, including Australia. Local authorities may have a negative attitude towards foreigners due to perceived support for Ukraine and sanctions on Russia. It is advised to avoid all protests or demonstrations and remain vigilant of your surroundings.
There are limited transportation options within Russia, and several Russian airports are closed to the public, disrupting internal flights to and from Moscow and other cities. Finland has closed its land and maritime borders indefinitely, and there are entry bans for vehicles registered in Russia in Estonia and Latvia. Train services are also suspended. Australia has placed sanctions on Russia, impacting various sectors such as defence, energy, transport, and finance. These sanctions may affect your ability to conduct financial transactions while in Russia.
It is important to note that the Australian government will not be able to evacuate you from Russia, and their ability to provide consular assistance is limited. If you decide to stay in Russia, ensure you have adequate travel insurance that covers your itinerary, planned activities, and potential emergency expenses.
To enter Russia, Australian citizens must obtain a traditional paper visa before departure and have a valid Australian passport with at least six months' validity beyond their planned stay.
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Russian ships in Australia
Russian ships have been sailing to Australia since as early as 1814, when the Suvorov, captained by Mikhail Lazarev, spent 22 days in New South Wales. Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen and Mikhail Vasilyev also arrived in New South Wales in 1820, on board the Antarctic research ships Vostok and Mirny. In the 1820s and 1830s, visits by Russian ships to Sydney Cove became so common that their place of mooring near Neutral Bay became known as Russian Point. However, this also added to a sense of alarm in the colonies, with the Government of New South Wales deciding to establish fortifications at Fort Denison in 1841 to repel a feared Russian invasion.
In 1855, the Colony built further fortifications around Admiralty House, as the emergence of the Pacific Ocean Fleet of the Imperial Russian Navy fuelled fears of a Russian invasion. In 1863, seven years after the Crimean War, the Russian corvette Bogatyr visited Melbourne and Sydney. The ship and crew were welcomed warmly, with more than 8,000 Australians visiting the ship. However, Bogatyr's appearance in Melbourne also put the city on a war footing, and the crew reportedly engaged in topographical surveys of the Port Jackson and Botany Bay areas.
In 2014, Russia sent a fleet of warships towards Australia in an apparent display of force ahead of the G20 meeting, amid tensions between the two countries over the MH17 crash. The Australian Defence Force confirmed it was "monitoring Russian naval vessels that are currently transiting through international waters to the north of Australia".
More recently, in 2022, the Australian government advised that it would have limited ability to provide consular assistance in Russia due to transportation options, financial transaction restrictions, and possible shortages of essential products and services. In the same year, Australia imposed more than 1,500 sanctions in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and deepened its collaboration with NATO to support Ukraine and hold Russia accountable.
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Australia's collaboration with NATO against Russia
Australia has been strengthening its cooperation with NATO to address shared security challenges, such as cyber defence, hybrid threats, and resilience, as well as to uphold the rules-based international order. Australia has imposed over 1500 sanctions on Russia, targeting its defence, energy, transport, insurance, electronics, and finance sectors, as well as those who spread Russian disinformation and propaganda. Australia has also sent military support to Ukraine, including an E-7A Wedgetail aircraft to help protect a vital international gateway for humanitarian and military assistance.
At the 2021 NATO Summit in Brussels, Allies agreed to increase dialogue and practical cooperation with Australia and other partners in the Indo-Pacific region. This commitment was reiterated in the NATO 2022 Strategic Concept, recognising the increasingly complex global security environment, including Russia's war in Ukraine, North Korea's support of that war, and the deepening strategic partnership between China and Russia.
Australia is also a member of the NATO Science and Technology Board, which provides strategic guidance and engages in joint research and development projects in areas such as medicine, sensing, cyber security, and propulsion and power systems. The priorities in NATO-Australia relations include promoting mutual understanding of global security issues, enhancing interoperability, and engaging on issues of common interest, such as cyber defence and countering hybrid threats.
The Australian government has been vocal about holding Russia accountable for its illegal and immoral war in Ukraine, and its support for Ukraine's right to self-defence has been steadfast since the beginning of the invasion. However, some critics argue that sending Australian troops to the region may not be in Australia's strategic interests, especially considering the potential for escalation and the fact that the conflict was partly provoked by NATO.
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