Today marks four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in blatant violation of international law, including the United Nations Charter.
Four years of unprovoked Russian aggression against a sovereign, democratic neighbour.
Australia is steadfast in our commitment to a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.
We commend the bravery and resilience of the Ukrainian people.
Australia has committed over $1.7 billion in total assistance, including $1.5 billion in military support to help Ukraine defend itself.
Russia continues to weaponise winter by intensifying its attacks on Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure and civilian populations. Australia has provided $40 million to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, including $10 million announced in January 2026, to help keep lights on, homes heated and essential services operating.
Since the outset of the invasion, Australia has made clear that Russia, and those enabling its illegal war of aggression, will face consequences.
The Australian Government has today imposed additional targeted sanctions on 180 individuals, entities and shadow fleet vessels with links to Russia, our single largest sanctions package since February 2022.
These new sanctions target Russia’s finance and banking, defence, aeronautical, oil and gas, transportation, and science and technology sectors. They are designed to squeeze Russian revenues and further constrain its ability to continue its illegal and brutal invasion.
The banking and finance sectors facilitate the purchase of technology and equipment necessary for Russia to sustain its invasion, while the oil and gas and transport sectors generate revenue for the Russian government. Russia’s aeronautical and defence sectors are critical to the development of Russian military capability.
Shadow fleet vessel sanctions are designed to starve Russia's war economy of revenue.
For the first time, Australia is also targeting cryptocurrency entities that enable cross-border payments to facilitate sanctions circumvention which sustains Russia’s military operations.
Australia has now imposed more than 1800 sanctions in response to Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Australia has also lowered the Russian Oil Price Cap from USD47.60 a barrel to USD44.10, alongside action taken by our international partners to further drive down the market value of Russian crude oil.
Details of these additional measures are available on the sanctions guidance webpage.
We will continue to take action to place further pressures on Russia’s oil revenue, and we expect businesses to prevent their supply chains from inadvertently funding Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine.
Australia coordinates closely with Ukraine and international partners through the Coalition of the Willing. The Deputy Prime Minister will participate in a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing this evening.
Once again, Australia calls on Russia to immediately end its war and uphold its international legal obligations, including in relation to the protection of civilians and treatment of prisoners of war.
Today and everyday, Australia will continue to push for a just and lasting peace that upholds Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, supports security and stability in Europe, and ensures Russia does not renew its aggression.