Russia Embassy In Australia

A mystery Russian diplomat ended his short-lived solo defiance of the Australian government Monday after a top court forced him to stop squatting on the site of a planned Russian embassy near Australia's parliament.

Russia's bid to build a new embassy near Australia's parliament suffered a legal blow on Monday, when the country's highest court denied a request for temporary protection against eviction.

Russia and Australia's dispute over the site of Moscow's proposed new embassy in Canberra has escalated, with local media reporting a Russian diplomat is squatting on the land despite the lease being canceled.

Russia holds the lease for a parcel of land, some 400 metres from Australia's parliamentary precinct in Canberra, and has been laying the foundations for a new embassy building.

Australia blocked Russia from building a new embassy in the shadow of Parliament House Thursday after intelligence officials warned it posed a spying risk and security threat.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Thursday the government would block Russia building a new embassy near the country's parliament, citing national security fears.

Australia has directed all remaining embassy staff in Kyiv to evacuate, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Sunday, as Russia continued to build up troops on its border with Ukraine.

A mystery Russian diplomat ended his short-lived solo defiance of the Australian government Monday after a top court forced him to stop squatting on the site of a planned Russian embassy near Australia's parliament.

Russia's bid to build a new embassy near Australia's parliament suffered a legal blow on Monday, when the country's highest court denied a request for temporary protection against eviction.

Russia and Australia's dispute over the site of Moscow's proposed new embassy in Canberra has escalated, with local media reporting a Russian diplomat is squatting on the land despite the lease being canceled.

Russia holds the lease for a parcel of land, some 400 metres from Australia's parliamentary precinct in Canberra, and has been laying the foundations for a new embassy building.

Australia blocked Russia from building a new embassy in the shadow of Parliament House Thursday after intelligence officials warned it posed a spying risk and security threat.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Thursday the government would block Russia building a new embassy near the country's parliament, citing national security fears.

Australia has directed all remaining embassy staff in Kyiv to evacuate, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Sunday, as Russia continued to build up troops on its border with Ukraine.