Australia Imposes Sanctions On 33 Russian Oligarchs, Including Chelsea Owner Roman Abramovich And CEO Of Gazprom

JAKARTA - The Australian government announced it imposed sanctions on 33 Russian oligarchs and businessmen on Monday, including Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich and Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller, over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne said Australia supports steps by the United States, Britain, Canada, the European Union, and New Zealand to take action against key Russians.

"Many of these oligarchs have facilitated or benefited directly, from the illegal and untenable actions of the Kremlin in Ukraine since 2014. In some cases the sanctions also cover close family members", Foreign Minister Payne said.

Previously, Australia had imposed sanctions on Russian politicians, including President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Russian lawmakers and oligarchs after the invasion of Ukraine.

"This is an extraordinary step to sanction the leaders. However, this is an extraordinary situation", Foreign Minister Payne said at a press conference in late February.

"Vladimir Putin has unparalleled personal power over his country and he has chosen to fight against a neighbor that poses no threat to Russia. Because he wants to reverse history and take the freedom and democracy that the Ukrainian people have chosen for themselves", he explained.

In previously announced sanctions, Foreign Minister Payne said Australia would target 339 members of the State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, and eight oligarchs. The new measures follow a series of previously announced Australian sanctions.

"The next immediate priority is to continue sanctions against Vladimir Putin's inner circle and the Russian defense industry", Foreign Minister Payne said at the time.