• Australia has imposed a total of 476 sanctions on 443 Russian individuals so far
• The government said it will donate at least 70,000 tonnes of thermal coal to Ukraine
Australia imposed an immediate ban on exports of alumina and aluminium ores to Russia, joining West in intensifying sanctions against Moscow.
“The Government has overnight imposed an immediate ban on Australian exports of alumina and aluminium ores (including bauxite) to Russia, which will limit its capacity to produce aluminium – a critical export for Russia,” the Australian government said in a statement.
"The Government will work closely with exporters and peak bodies that will be affected by the ban to find new and expand existing markets," the statement said.
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So far, Australia has imposed a total of 476 sanctions on 443 individuals, including many oligarchs close to President Putin, and 33 entities, including most of Russia’s banking sector and all entities responsible for Russia’s sovereign debt, according to the statement.
The Australian government also said it will donate at least 70,000 tonnes of thermal coal to Ukraine to help the country.
“The assistance will help keep the country’s coal-fired power generators operating and supplying electricity to country’s power grid, supporting the Ukrainian people by keeping lights on, homes heated, and factories running at this very difficult time.”
Picture Credits: Reuters