The Government has added 170 Russian politicians and six defence sector companies to its sanctions list, as “Putin’s war machine” continues its invasion of Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta on Monday evening announced that the “full suite” of sanctions had now been placed on more than 400 Russian leaders, oligarchs, and their family members, that had at a minimum been banned from travelling to New Zealand previously.
A further 170 politicians that make up the upper house of Russia’s parliament had been placed on the sanctions list, and six defence companies and organisations which had contributed to Russia’s war against Ukraine had also been added.
“As President Putin’s war machine continues its illegal attacks and as further revelations of atrocities come to light, we are determined to impose costs on those involved," Mahuta said, in a statement.
The further sanctioning of the full 400 Russians on the Government’s list “will further prohibit those we have already sanctioned from carrying out activity in New Zealand, and prevent New Zealand from becoming a financial safe haven for those involved with Russia’s illegal activities in Ukraine”, Mahuta said.
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The Government two weeks ago targeted major banks and financial institutions in Russia. It was expected that new sanctions would be announced fortnightly.
Russia has retaliated against New Zealand’s sanctions, which include a 35% tariff on all Russian imported goods.
The Kremlin in April “blacklisted" 130 New Zealanders, including Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Cabinet ministers, parliamentarians from all political parties, the Governor-General, and military and spy chiefs, barring them from travelling to Russia.
On Monday, the United States announced it had, in partnership with the Cook Islands, seized a superyacht owned by sanctioned Russian oligarch Vicktor Veselberg on April 4.
The Cook Islands-flagged yacht, said to be worth US$120 million (NZ$186m), was berthed in Mallorca, Spain.
“The US–Cook Islands partnership in this case is not only a testament to the strength of our long history and relationship, but also to the international community’s commitment to making Putin’s heinous and unjustified invasion of Ukraine a long-term strategic failure,” said the US ambassador to New Zealand and the Cook Islands, Tom Udall, in a statement.
