Australia vs. Russia: Why has a political storm broken out between the two countries and how far can this controversy escalate?

Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia, pointed out that for security reasons his government will block the construction of a new Russian embassy in Canberra, near Parliament. Russia was quick to react and the Kremlin spokesman, Dmitri Peskov, pointed out that this measure corresponds to a “Russophobic hysteria that is currently plaguing Western countries.”

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“The government has received very clear security advice about the risk posed by a new Russian presence so close to the seat of Parliament,” said Anthony Albanese.

Today the government will pass legislation to terminate the Russian Federation’s lease for a proposed diplomatic presence near Parliament House. pic.twitter.com/oAREg7lWen

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) June 15, 2023

“We are moving quickly to ensure that the leased site does not become a formal diplomatic presence,” said the Australian prime minister, mentioning the government’s introduction of a bill that could prevent the construction of the new embassy. Russian in Canberra.

Subsequently, the bill presented by the government to cancel the lease of some land by Russia was approved by the House of Representatives (Parliament) and by the Senate, according to EFE.

“We anticipate that this bill will pass today in both the House of Representatives and the Senate,” Albanese previously said.

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Australia blocks the construction of the new Russian embassy for “security”. The photo shows the land. Source: Yoann CAMBEFORT / AFP (YOANN CAMBEFORT /)

Anthony Albanese pointed out that the Australian authorities fear that the location of the new Russian embassy could imply a risk “in terms of political interference” with the activities of Parliament, indicates the Spanish news agency.

In this regard, Clare O’Neil, Australia’s Home Minister, argued that the main problem is the location of the new Russian embassy, ​​which “is directly adjacent to Parliament.”

Australia blocks the construction of the new Russian embassy for “security”. The photo shows the land. Source: Yoann CAMBEFORT / AFP (YOANN CAMBEFORT /)

How far could this tension go?

Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said Australia’s stance to prevent the construction of Russia’s new embassy in Canberra amounts to “Russophobic hysteria.”

“To our great regret, Australia continues to forcefully follow in the footsteps of the perpetrators of the Russophobic hysteria currently plaguing Western countries,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said of the Australian measures.

“It is another show of hostility from Australia. We will take this into account in case items arise on the agenda that require reciprocity,” said Dmitri Peskov.

For his part, Anthony Albanese, acknowledged that it is possible that the Russian diplomatic mission in Australia has some kind of reaction, especially since in the past they threatened to take the case to court, according to AFP.

“We do not believe that Russia is in a position to talk about international law, given its rejection of it so consistently and blatantly with its invasion of the Ukraine,” Anthony Albanese argued.

Australia blocks the construction of the new Russian embassy for “security”. Source: AFP

The land is located about 1 kilometer from the Parliament. The Russian embassy continues at its headquarters, which is located 3 kilometers from the legislative headquarters.

According to EFE, the Russian Embassy signed the lease for the new land in 2008 and received approval for construction in 2011. Construction has not yet been completed.

The Federal Court of Australia in May overturned an eviction order issued by the Canberra National Capital Authority in August 2022.

Source: Elcomercio