Russia’s bid to construct a brand new embassy close to Australia’s parliament suffered a authorized blow on Monday, with a high court docket backing the federal government’s effort to grab the land.

Australia has blocked Russia from constructing a brand new embassy in Canberra, after intelligence companies warned it may very well be used as a base to spy on lawmakers.

Russia final week launched a last-minute injunction to carry on to the land, whereas despatching a thriller diplomat to squat there because the authorized tussle performed out.

But Australia’s excessive court docket dominated on Monday morning that Russia needed to vacate the location, at the least till the case returns to court docket for extra detailed authorized arguments.

The squatter-diplomat was seen exiting the location quickly after the ruling, earlier than being whisked away in a diplomatic car.

“The court has made clear that there is no legal basis for a Russian presence to continue on the site at this time,” Australian Prime minister Anthony Albanese informed reporters.

“We expect the Russian Federation to act in accordance with the court’s ruling.”

Russia purchased the lease to the land from the Australian authorities in 2008, and in 2011 was granted approval to construct its new embassy there.

But the Australian authorities introduced final week it was tearing up that settlement.

Australia’s parliament handed legal guidelines particularly aimed toward stopping a Russian embassy from being constructed on the location, which sits about 400 metres (a quarter mile) from the parliamentary precinct.

“The government has received very clear security advice as to the risk posed by a new Russian presence so close to Parliament House,” Albanese stated.

“We are acting quickly to ensure the lease site does not become a formal diplomatic presence.”

Albanese on Monday additionally introduced a brand new bundle of army help for Ukraine — together with 28 M113 armoured personnel carriers and an undisclosed quantity of 105mm howitzer rounds.

“We support international efforts to ensure Putin’s aggression fails and that Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity prevails,” Albanese stated.

The bundle didn’t embrace Hawkei gentle armoured patrol autos or extra Bushmaster infantry autos — each of which Ukraine had requested.