The New Zealand Government on Monday announced the imposition of new sanctions against fourteen Russian individuals and seven Russian organizations for their involvement in the invasion of Ukraine, which began in late February.
The New Zealand Foreign Minister, Nanaia Mahuta, has indicated that all of them are related to the Russian Army, as well as to «defense structures and paramilitary organizations».
In a statement, she said that the list of those sanctioned now includes military personnel and «persons in charge of disseminating false information», as well as shareholders of companies that develop and manufacture missiles and weapons.
The country had already extended the sanctions imposed against Russia in mid-October, when it added to its list the names of 51 senior officials of Russian companies and those of 24 persons linked to the annexation of Ukrainian territories.
In this regard, Mahuta asserted that the «illegal and unjustified invasion of Ukraine and the continuous acts of aggression» against the territory «can only take place thanks to this extensive military-industrial network, which has numerous protagonists».
«By sanctioning these individuals, New Zealand is making clear its condemnation of any act that facilitates illegal actions on Ukrainian territory,» he said before asserting that the «continued damage caused against civilian targets is of grave concern.»
He has also emphasized that «the Russian military sector is responsible for violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, which is a serious violation of international law.» «New Zealand is concerned about the latest attacks on civilians in cities across Ukraine,» he concluded.
So far, the country has imposed sanctions against more than 1,200 individuals and entities with ties to Russia, while taking unprecedented measures at the trade level.
