Further Russian intervention in Ukraine would invite Australian sanctions including on the sale of uranium says Foreign Minister Julie Bishop who has declared “everything's on the table” if Moscow fails to accept responsibility for downed Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.
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Ms Bishop's stern warning came as Prime Minister Tony Abbott, speaking in Sydney on Friday afternoon, called on Russia to hold back its forces, currently massing on the Ukraine border. He said any crossing would constitute an “invasion”.
“I want to say very clearly that we are working towards stronger sanctions,” he said.
“I say to President Putin, if he wants to be regarded as a world leader, as opposed to becoming an international outcast: hold your forces back. Stay behind the border, let the business of Ukraine be sorted out by Ukrainians.”
Speaking ahead of her departure to Burma for the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum, Ms Bishop told Fairfax Media the government was considering “broader, deeper sanctions” against Moscow.
“If Russia does seek to intervene in Ukraine, there would be consequences” Ms Bishop warned. The Foreign Minister said that sanctions to date had only been imposed on Russian individuals and companies but Australia could consider “other options”.
When asked if that might include the possibility of banning the sale of uranium to Russia, Ms Bishop responded “everything's on the table”.
She said Russia could avoid further sanctions but it would depend on its actions at the United Nations and whether Moscow was prepared to accept responsibility for the death of 298 people, 38 of whom called Australian home.
But she said she had seen no evidence of contrition or sorrow from Russian officials to date.
“On a number of occasions I've spoken with representatives from Russia who have denied responsibility” she said.
Ms Bishop said she was determined to see justice done for the victims as “their grief demands answers”.
Mr Abbott said he had been reluctant to discuss sanctions while Australian unarmed police were still “within 20 or 30 kilometres of the Russian border” collecting the remains of victims.
“But now that our personnel have withdrawn from the site, now that our personnel are in the process of returning to the Netherlands after largely completing operation Bring Them Home, certainly you will find increased sanctions by Australia,” he said.
Russia announced its own retaliatory sanctions on Australia and other Western nations overnight, which include banning foodstuffs, including meat, fruit and vegetables.
Ms Bishop played down their impact on the Australian economy and said it was more “petulance” from Russia, which has refused to accept responsibility for MH17.
