Peters announced that the New Zealand government has unveiled an additional set of sanctions aimed at people and organizations that aid Russia’s military activities as a strong reaction to the country’s continuous aggression in Ukraine. The sanctions are part of a larger plan that New Zealand is doing to uphold the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.
Introduction of New Sanctions by Peters
The latest sanctions were disclosed on May 16, 2024, by Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters. 28 people and 14 organizations that support Russia militarily and strategically are the objectives of this upgraded package. Both those who assist in the forced relocation of Ukrainian children and those who facilitate the transit of weapons from North Korea and Iran to Russia are the targets of these acts.
“Russia is directly supported by its military-industrial complex in its illegal aggression against Ukraine, attacking its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Peters stated. “New Zealand condemns all entities and individuals providing this military support.”
Addressing the DPRK and Iranian Contributions
With almost three million artillery shells and ballistic missiles among its many packages, North Korea has become one of Russia’s primary suppliers of military hardware. In the same way, Russia received Shahid drones from Iran, and these aircraft are frequently used to launch assaults against civilian targets in Ukraine. It has been stated that Iran is also helping Russian firms produce similar drones.
“As part of this new tranche of sanctions, New Zealand is targeting individuals and entities involved with the transfer of weaponry from the DPRK into Russia for use against Ukraine, as well as Iranian actors involved in providing military assistance to Russia,” Peters said. “The transfer of Iranian drones to Russia facilitates its illegal war in Ukraine.”
Humanitarian Concerns: Forced Relocation of Ukrainian Children
The forced displacement of Ukrainian children to Russia and other Russian-occupied territories is one of the humanitarian issues that are addressed by the sanctions as well. Less than 400 of the approximately 19,500 children confirmed to have been abducted by Russia since the invasion’s start have been brought back to their families.
“In continuing to facilitate the deportation of Ukrainian children, Russia is seeking to advance its objectives in invading Ukraine, including efforts to undermine Ukraine’s identity as a sovereign country,” Peters noted.
Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, and Maria Lvova-Belova, the commissioner for children’s rights, are the targets of arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which charges them with enabling these forced evacuations.
New Zealand’s Comprehensive Sanctions Regime
More than 1,700 people and organizations have been the target of sanctions imposed by New Zealand since the Russia Sanctions Act was passed in March 2022. A variety of trade restrictions are among the actions taken to make it harder for Russia to continue its military activities.
The previous set of sanctions, which was announced on February 29, 2024, included a cap on the price of oil of Russian origin that was set by the G7 Plus, a prohibition on the export of dual-use goods to Belarus and Russia via third countries, and the designation of 61 people and businesses to thwart attempts at evasion.
International Collaboration and Aid
A delegation of Ukrainian MPs and Vasyl Myroshnychenko, the country’s ambassador to Australia and New Zealand, are in New Zealand to visit the parliament at the same time that the additional sanctions are declared. Winston Peters, Speaker of the House Gerry Brownlee, and Defense Minister Judith Collins met with the group, which was led by Dr. Galyna Mykhailiuk. New Zealand colleagues have been invited to visit Kyiv by the Ukrainian mission. But despite the desire for such a visit, Brownlee pointed out that the ongoing fighting makes it unfeasible for now.
Significant Financial Assistance and Military Support
Apart from the imposed sanctions, New Zealand has furnished Ukraine with substantial financial assistance. For the first time in almost eighteen months, the government provided help in February 2024 totaling $25.9 million, of which $6.5 million was designated for the purchase of weaponry. With this addition, New Zealand has now given more than $100 million in help to Ukraine overall. Moreover, up to 97 members of the New Zealand Defence Force have been sent to Europe to train Ukrainian soldiers and offer logistical support.
The most recent sanctions imposed by Peters from New Zealand demonstrate the country’s unwavering opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its dedication to upholding Ukraine’s sovereignty. New Zealand hopes to help international efforts to put pressure on Russia to stop its aggression and abide by international law by focusing on those who are giving it military support and by addressing humanitarian abuses.
