Australia – Russia relations ( ) date back to 1807 , when the Russian warship '' Neva '' arrived in Sydney as part of its circumnavigation of the globe . Consular relations between Australia and the Russian Empire were established in 1857 . Diplomatic relations between Australia and the Soviet Union were established in 1942 , and the first Australian embassy opened in 1943 . At present , relations between the two countries have severely deteriorated following Russia 's involvement in Ukraine as well as the suspected involvement in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 , which claimed the lives of 38 Australians . Relations were tested as Putin arrived for the 2014 G20 Summit in Brisbane , Queensland , among reports Russian warships were closing in on Australian waters . According to a 2017 Pew Global Attitudes Project survey , 37 % of Australians have a favorable view of Russia , with 55 % expressing an unfavorable view
Malaysia Airlines Flight 17
Malaysia Airlines Flight 17
Australia–Russia relations