Australia on Sunday passed new economic sanctions against Russia in response to Ukraine’s invasion, banning exports of alumina and bauxite with immediate effect, and vowed to provide more arms and aid humanitarian aid in Kyiv.
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The ban on such exports is intended to hurt aluminum production in Russia, which depends on Australia for 20% of its alumina.
The announcement comes days after Canberra’s decision to sanction Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, founder of aluminum giant Rusal who owns a stake in Australian firm Queensland Alumina Limited.
The latter, owned by Rusal and the Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto, has promised to sever all commercial ties with Russia.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his government was working with its allies to “put maximum pressure on Putin’s regime to withdraw from Ukraine”.
Mr Morrison claimed Canberra has taken 476 sanctions against Russian people and institutions since the start of the invasion of Ukraine.
He also announced that Australia would donate 70,000 tonnes of thermal coal to Ukraine, in response to a request from kyiv.
“We understand this can power up to a million homes,” he explained.
In addition, Australia will provide Ukraine with an additional AU$30 million (€20 million) in humanitarian aid and an additional AU$21 million in military aid, including providing ammunition and body armor .
In recent weeks, the government has approved nearly 5,000 visas for Ukrainian refugees, according to Mr. Morrison.
They will now be able to obtain a three-year humanitarian visa, allowing them to work, study and access the country’s health system.