Australian lawmakers passed legislation on June 15 banning Russia from constructing its new embassy near parliament following intelligence service warnings about possible security threats. Russia holds the lease for a parcel of land close to Australia's parliamentary precinct in Canberra and has been laying the foundation for a new embassy building. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the Australian lawmakers' move "part of the mainstream West's Russophobic hysteria, of which Australia is trying to distinguish itself." To read the original story by RFE/RL's Russian Service, click here.
Australia Rules Not To Allow Russia To Build New Embassy Near Parliament
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the Australian lawmakers' move "part of the mainstream West's Russophobic hysteria, of which Australia is trying to distinguish itself." (file photo)