The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. Moscow. Photo credit: mos.ru (CC BY 4.0)
Russian lawyers challenged the decision of the Australian authorities on a land plot for the Russian embassy in Canberra. A new building for the embassy was supposed to be built there, but the land lease was terminated. In the lawyers' opinion, the document, hastily adopted by the Australian Parliament, does not comply with the country's constitution, the Russian Foreign Ministry reports.
The decision to terminate the agreement was announced by the head of the Australian government. He cited a threat to "national security" as the reason. The Russian embassy noted that this step by the Australian authorities is aimed at destroying relations with Russia.
The MFA recalled that this is not the first time that the Australian authorities have made an attempt to seize Moscow's diplomatic property. Previously, the authorities wanted to take away a site in Yarralamla under a fictitious pretext. The Russian Foreign Ministry accused Australia of unfair practices and disregard for the rule of law.
Earlier, the head of the Australian embassy in Moscow was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry. He was protested against Canberra's actions. The ambassador was warned that Russia was ready to take retaliatory actions.
Russkiy Mir
