New Zealand Extends Sanctions Against Russia Over Ukraine Invasion

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern delivers a pre-recorded video message for the general debate of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN General Assembly Hall at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, New York, USA on September 24, 2021. Peter Foley/Poole via REUTERS/File photo

WELLINGTON, March 7 – The New Zealand government said on Monday it would pass legislation allowing for sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

When it is passed, New Zealand will for the first time impose sanctions on a country on a case-by-case basis.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the sanctions would give the country the ability to freeze Russian assets in New Zealand, prevent people and companies from moving their money and assets here to avoid sanctions imposed by other countries, and bar superyachts, ships and aircraft from entering. water or airspace of the country.

It also published a list barring 100 individuals from entering New Zealand.

Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a “special operation”.

Previously, New Zealand could apply sanctions only when they were imposed by the UN Security Council. The Security Council will not be able to impose sanctions against Russia, since Russia has the right to veto them.

Ardern said the government was forced to introduce new legislation due to limitations in the existing multilateral system.

“Ultimately, if we had a more functional safety board, we wouldn’t have this problem at all,” Ardern said.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine drew near-universal condemnation around the world, forced more than 1.5 million Ukrainians to flee the country, and triggered massive Western sanctions against Russia aimed at undermining its economy.

Reporting by Lucy Crimer; Edited by Christopher Cushing and Raju Gopalakrishnan

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