New Zealand follows US Senate's move, slaps fresh sanctions against Russia

The announcement by New Zealand follows a move by the US Senate passing a sweeping new bill authorizing tariffs on China, India and other buyers of Russian oil.

New Zealand announced more sanctions targeting individuals and entities supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine, following the passage of a new bill in the US Senate targeting the country’s oil and gas revenues.

The announcement by New Zealand follows a move overnight by the US Senate passing a sweeping new bill authorizing tariffs on top buyers of the country’s oil and gas. (File Photo/AFP)

The sanction package - New Zealand’s 36th round against Russia - targets 33 individuals and entities with a particular focus on cyber actors, as well as those involved in the forced relocation, abduction, and re-education of Ukrainian children, Winston Peters, foreign affairs minister, said in a statement Saturday, without elaborating on the measures.

“Children should never be used as instruments of war,” said Peters. “New Zealand remains deeply concerned by efforts to abduct and re-educate Ukrainian children through coercive state-directed programs.”

The announcement by New Zealand follows a move overnight by the US Senate passing a sweeping new bill authorizing tariffs on China, India and other top buyers of the country’s oil and gas.