Moni Malawi 
Russia has added Australia to its hit list of taking ‘unfriendly actions’ against the Kremlin.
Russian media outlet RIA Novosti tweeted out the countries who have been added to Putin’s list, which were approved by the government of the Russian Federation on Monday.
Правительство утвердило перечень недружественных России стран. В него, в том числе вошли:
Австралия, Великобритания, страны ЕС, Исландия, Канада, Лихтенштейн, Монако, Новая Зеландия, Норвегия, Корея, Сан-Марино, Сингапур, США, Тайвань, Украина, Черногория, Швейцария, Япония
— РИА Новости (@rianru) March 7, 2022
The list now includes Australia, Albania, Andorra, United Kingdom, including Jersey, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Gibraltar, Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Canada, Liechtenstein, Micronesia, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Korea, San Marino , North Macedonia, Singapore, USA, Taiwan, Ukraine, Montenegro, Switzerland, and Japan.
The Kremlin has approved a list of countries who have been “unfriendly” to Russia. They include:
Australia, UK, EU countries, Iceland, Canada, Liechtenstein, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Korea, San Marino, Singapore, USA, Taiwan, Ukraine, Montenegro, Switzerland, Japan https://t.co/YQi2SPyYJb
— Bianna Golodryga (@biannagolodryga) March 7, 2022
So, what does this mean for Australians and the other 50 countries that have made it to Russia’s hit-list? While the decree is a big step on the Kremlin’s part, it does not signal that Russia will be attacking these countries.
What is does mean is that Russia has changed how its citizens deal financially with those on the ‘unfriendly’ nation list.
Russians and Russian companies that deal with ‘foreign creditors’ – so international businesses or individuals – will now be able to pay their debts in rubles, which has dropped significantly in value since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began.
Economists have described the ruble value as hitting ‘an all-time low’.
All-time low for #Rubles: 123 to $1.#RussianUkrainianWar pic.twitter.com/fMRPjmGfqK
— Nomad Capitalist (@nomadcapitalist) March 5, 2022
Any new business with foreign ‘unfriendly’ nations has also been halted, after Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed a decree that Russian companies now must apply to the government to deal with certain international companies.
“According to the [decree signed by Mishustin], a Russian resident company or a foreign company from the list of unfriendly countries must apply for permission to deal,” said Russian cabinet.