Foreign policy

On 24 February 2022, Russia began its illegal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russia’s aggression undermines the global peace and security Russia is responsible for safeguarding as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

Bilateral relations

The Australian Government has limited all bilateral cooperation with Russia since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Australia only engages bilaterally with Russia when it is critical to delivering on our national interests, such as safety of Australian citizens, security and ongoing operations of our diplomatic presence in Russia.

The Australian Government has asked all state, territory and local governments and public universities to put on hold existing bilateral cooperation with the Russian government, including Russian subnational government entities, and to reconsider new engagement.

For more information see the Foreign Arrangements Scheme or contact the Foreign Arrangements Taskforce in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at foreignarrangements@dfat.gov.au.

Media releases and statements

• For announcements related to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, please visit our Crisis Hub.
• United Nations Third Committee: Interactive Dialogue: Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Russia, 29 October 2024
• Australia supports UK, EU efforts to call out Russian disinformation and malicious activity, 29 October 2024
• Cyber sanctions imposed on Russian citizens for cybercrime, 2 October 2024
• 10 years since downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, 17 July 2024
• Two Australian citizens charged with an espionage-related offence, 12 July 2024
• Media Freedom Coalition statement on Evan Gershkovich’s Trial, 8 July 2024
• Joint Statement on DPRK-Russia, 31 May 2024
• Cyber sanction imposed on Russian citizen for ransomware activity, 8 May 2024
• Russia presidential elections, 19 March 2024
• Additional targeted sanctions following Alexei Navalny's death in prison, 1 March 2024
• Targeted sanctions in response to Alexei Navalny's mistreatment in prison, 26 February 2024
• Cyber sanctions in response to Medibank Private cyber attack, 23 January 2024
• Australian statement on Russian cyber targeting of democratic processes, 8 December 2023
• Targeted sanctions in response to human rights violations in Russia, 7 December 2023
• Universal Periodic Review of the Russian Federation, 13 November 2023
• Statement on Russia's decision to revoke ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, 3 November 2023
• Remembering the victims of Flight MH17, 17 July 2023
• Media Freedom Coalition statement on the attack on journalist Elena Milashina and Alexander Nemov, 14 July 2023
• Sanctions on persons involved in the downing of Flight MH17, 24 June 2023
• Announcement regarding legislation to terminate Russia's proposed embassy lease, 15 June 2023
• ICAO Council Decision on Jurisdiction in MH17 legal proceedings, 18 March 2023
• Suspension of the Joint Investigation into the downing of Flight MH17, 9 February 2023
• Delivery of verdicts in MH17 trials in the Netherlands, 18 November 2022
• Statement on Russian obstruction of the nuclear treaty conference, 28 August 2022
• NCA terminates lease agreement for new Russian Embassy, 17 August 2022
• Anniversary of the downing of Flight MH17, 17 July 2022
• Media Freedom Coalition Statement on Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine and Assault on Media Freedom, 10 March 2022
• Joint Statement on Russian Court Decisions to Liquidate Memorial, 1 January 2022
• Russia: Media Freedom Coalition statement, 10 October 2021
• Sentencing of Alexei Navalny, 3 February 2021
• Response to Nerve Agent Attack, 27 March 2018