Australia, New Zealand impose new sanctions against Russia

The Australian and New Zealand governments announced new sanctions against Russia on February 24, demonstrating solidarity with Ukraine. Both countries have introduced the most extensive package of sanctions since the beginning of the Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

By announcing the sanctions, both countries reaffirmed their steadfast support for Ukraine.

"Working with Ukraine and our partners, Australia supports a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. Once again, Australia calls on Russia to immediately end its war and adhere fully to its obligations under international law, including in relation to the protection of civilians and treatment of prisoners of war," - Australian government stated today.

The Australia has imposed further additional financial sanctions and travel bans on 70 persons, and targeted financial sanctions on 79 entities.

The new sanctions target individuals propping up Russia’s illegal administrations in eastern Ukraine and Crimea, including individuals responsible for conflict-related sexual violence and the forced deportation of Ukrainian children. 

"The sanctions also target persons and entities involved in deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, including the deployment of North Korean troops to the battlefield. Deepening Russia-North Korea military cooperation is a dangerous expansion of Russia’s war, with serious consequences for European and Indo-Pacific security," - said in a statement of Australian government.

Meanwhile, New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced today that additional sanctions will target 52 individuals and entities involved in "Russia’s military-industrial complex, its energy sector, North Korea’s support to Russia’s war effort, and the forced relocation or re-education of Ukrainian children."

“Russia’s illegal invasion has brought three years of devastation to Ukraine’s people, environment, and infrastructure,” Peters says.

Mr Peters announced a further $3 million contribution to the World Bank-administered Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund.

“The Fund supports the Government of Ukraine to maintain services, conduct relief efforts, and plan and implement recovery, reconstruction and reforms,” Peters says.

Australia has now imposed a total of more than 1,400 sanctions in response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Since the Russia Sanctions Act entered into force in March 2022, New Zealand has imposed sanctions on more than 1,800 individuals and entities, along with a range of trade measures.