Following the imposition of sanctions by the United States, Britain and the European Union against Russian entities and members of the Russian National Security Council,

including the travel ban and the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, Australia imposed sanctions on eight security advisers to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian military-linked banks, and Japan decided to impose sanctions on Moscow and individuals associated with the separatist regions in eastern Ukraine.

These actions are in addition to other decisions by the United States, Britain and the European Union to punish Russian entities following Putin's decision to send troops to eastern Ukraine. Members of the Russian National Security Council will face a range of sanctions, including a travel ban, and Australia will take action against Russian banks linked to the military.

Australia is a member of the Five Eyes intelligence exchange coalition of the United States, Britain, Canada and New Zealand.

For his part, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has also announced that his country intends to impose sanctions on Russia and individuals associated with the separatist regions of eastern Ukraine, which are controlled by Moscow loyalists. The Tokyo sanctions will include banning the issuance of visas to individuals associated with the "so-called republics," as well as freezing their assets and preventing trade with the two regions.

n the context, Kishida told journalists that "we continue to monitor the situation with great concern." Japan "strongly condemns" Russia's actions "which violate Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and international law," adding that further sanctions could be imposed "if the situation worsens."

U.S. President Joe Biden had decided to impose "large - scale sanctions on Russian sovereign debt" and "cut off the Russian government from Western finance," declaring further sanctions on Russia's economy and political elite.

Western States have also introduced sanctions against Moscow, while Berlin has suspended the certification of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. The EU Foreign Ministers unanimously agreed on a sanctions package against Russia.