New Zealand has announced another package of sanctions against Russia and individuals and organizations supporting its war against Ukraine. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said this, UNN reports, citing Bloomberg.
Details
This is already New Zealand’s 36th package of sanctions against Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion. The new restrictions target 33 individuals and legal entities.
The new package places particular emphasis on cyber activities, as well as on individuals and organizations involved in the forced transfer, abduction, and re-education of Ukrainian children in temporarily occupied territories.
"Children must never be used as a tool of war. New Zealand remains deeply concerned about attempts to abduct and re-educate Ukrainian children as part of coercive state-run programs," Peters said.
New sanctions following the U.S. Senate decision
Wellington’s decision was made shortly after the U.S. Senate backed a sweeping bill aimed at increasing economic pressure on Russia.
The U.S. Senate backed a bill on “hellish” sanctions against Russia and Iran — media07.08.26, 20:30
The document provides for the possibility of imposing additional tariffs on countries that purchase Russian oil and gas. Potential targets could include major buyers of Russian energy resources, particularly China and India.
Thus, sanctions pressure on Russia is gradually extending beyond restrictions directly targeting Russian companies and citizens. The United States and its partners are also seeking to influence states that continue to purchase Russian energy resources and thereby provide revenues to the budget of the Russian Federation.
New Zealand has already imposed more than 2,000 sanctions
Since March 2022, New Zealand has added more than 2,000 individuals and legal entities, as well as vessels linked to Russia, to its sanctions lists. In addition to personal restrictions, the country has introduced a number of trade measures against the Russian Federation.