Apr 19, Kathmandu- After Australia imposed restrictions on Russian private individuals and legal entities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia banned two hundred and thirty-five Australians from entering Moscow indefinitely.

Moscow has said that the Australians are members of the Citizens' Council, which is actively promoting an anti-Russian agenda in their country to condemn Russia's aggression in Ukraine.

"In response to politically motivated sanctions imposed by the Australian government on Russian private individuals and legal entities as part of the Russophobic campaign of the collective West, it has been decided to indefinitely deny entry to Russia of 235 Australian municipal councilors who are actively promoting an anti-Russian agenda in our country," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement

In addition, these Australians include former Victorian Prime Minister Daniel Andrews and Victorian opposition leader John Pesutto. According to the statement, these Australians have now been denied entry into the Russian Federation. The ministry said it would further update the list of Australians as Canberra showed no sign of abandoning its anti-Russian stance and continuing the new sanctions.

Since the start of the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, many countries have issued sanctions against Russian individuals and organizations and imposed restrictions on imports and exports with Russia.

In response to Russian threats to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Australia imposed sanctions on Russia.