Australia’s National Capital Planning and Lands Authority said “the authorities have decided to stop leasing the land on which Russia is building a new embassy.”

“After regular consultations and discussions with Russian officials over the years, and due to a lack of commitment regarding completion dates, the National Capital Office has decided to terminate the lease,” the statement said. In this context, the head of the department, Sally Barnes, emphasized that “the existing workshop violates the aesthetics and importance of the territory intended for diplomatic missions.”

And here we are talking about the site that Russia acquired in Canberra in December 2008, where the National Capital Authority issued a permit for rent, and in 2011 for work and construction. According to the lease agreement, Russia undertook to build the building within three years, but the project was never completed. Russia now has 20 days to vacate the territory, after which it will return to the list of lands available for diplomatic purposes.