Wellington: New Zealand's Parliament has unanimously passed historic sanctions legislation in response to Russia’s war on Ukraine.
"New Zealand unequivocally condemns the Putin regime’s brutal and intolerable invasion of Ukraine. It is an unprovoked, illegal and entirely avoidable tragedy," Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said in a media release on Wednesday.
"We acted quickly to condemn Putin’s war and immediately implemented a suite of measures in response including travel bans. But Russia has not ceased its unprovoked, unjustified and inhumane aggression on innocent people in Ukraine so a greater response was required," she said.
Despite the UN General Assembly voting 141 to 5 condemning Russia’s actions, she said, Russia has vetoed any UN sanctions.
"As such, while a bill of this nature has never been brought before our Parliament, we have done this strong in the knowledge we are acting in line with the international community," she said.
According to her, the Russia Sanctions Act provides a broad legal framework which enables New Zealand to impose economic sanctions targeting specific people, and companies, assets and services involved with Russia’s aggression.
"The Act means we could for example, stop the purchase or sale of property, the movement of ships and planes in New Zealand’s waters or airspace, stop imports and exports, lending of money, or the movement of money. This is not about targeting people simply for being Russian. Sanctions will target those who are linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine, or who are of economic or strategic importance to Putin’s regime. This could include family members of key players, Russian Banks, and other countries like Belarus who actively support Russia," she said.
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