Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organizations targets Russian oil entering country via refining loophole

Australia’s most vocal voice for Ukrainians has launched a campaign against the import of fuel made from Russian oil, which is entering the Australian market through a sanctions loophole after being refined in other countries.

The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organizations (AFUO) is protesting the entry of Russian oil that is imported into the country if it has been blended or refined elsewhere, and labelled “non-Russian,” the organization said.

“The AFUO condemns a shocking milestone — over $2 billion in tax revenue has flowed directly to russia through the oil trade between russia, India, and Australia,” the organization said in a statement. “This isn’t just trade — it’s funding russian missiles, drones, and artillery which are destroying Ukrainian cities and killing innocent civilians.” 

AFUO is holding protests about the evasion sanctions and is raising the issue in the media, sending letters to senators, and has even set up a dedicated campaign website.

As part of these efforts, a rally will take place on Aug. 17 near the fuel terminal in Kurnell, near Port Botany in Sydney, where another tanker carrying fuel containing Russian oil is scheduled to arrive.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has admitted that “the mechanisms we would need to track and monitor all energy products via third countries are not in place.” 

However, AFUO says independent researchers and the Australian-Ukrainian community are already tracking these shipments in real time.

“Australia can’t stand with Ukraine while funding its destruction,” the organization said, vowing to keep demanding decisive action to close the sanctions loophole.

On July 7, Ukrainian Australians had already staged a protest in Kurnell when a tanker carrying fuel containing Russian oil arrived.