Russian Ambassador to Australia Alexey Pavlovsky called the bilateral relations between the two countries «destroyed to the ground.» And this was done «exclusively in the context of the common position of the collective West, there were no other reasons,» the ambassador stressed. Pavlovsky also noted that previously there had been mutually beneficial business cooperation between Russia and Australia, especially in the field of mining and related technologies. However, under pressure from the Australian government, Russian companies were forced to cease their activities in Australia. The Ambassador noted that Australian entrepreneurs were also affected by the sanctions. According to Pavlovsky, the ban on the import of Russian oil and petroleum products from Australia, as well as from other Western countries, led to the disorganization of the global energy market and an increase in fuel prices in Australia. He also noted that the decision of the Australian government to support sanctions and attempts to impose a «price ceiling» on Russian fuel proved ineffective and led to a rise in the price of fuel at Australian gas stations.
