Australia cancels lease for new Russian embassy citing national security

Australia said on June 15, 2023 it would introduce legislation to parliament to cancel Russia’s lease to build a new embassy in the national capital of Canberra, citing national security

Australia said on Thursday (June 15) it would introduce legislation to parliament to cancel Russia's lease to build a new embassy in the national capital of Canberra, citing national security.

The move follows the conclusion of a long-running litigation regarding the leased site after the federal court ruled last month that an eviction order made by the National Capital Authority—a government body tasked with the planning of the national capital—was invalid.

"The government has received very clear security advice as to the risk presented by a new Russian presence so close to parliament house," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters.

"To be clear, today's decision is one taken in the national security interests of Australia."

Mr. Albanese said his government acted quickly to ensure the leased site did not become an official diplomatic presence.

The termination of the lease would have no impact on Russia's existing embassy in Canberra.

The Kremlin called the Australian move a hostile one which reflected what it said was the authorities' anti-Russian sentiment.