New Zealand Sanctions 33 Russian Entities Over Child Abductions

The New Zealand Government announced its 36th round of sanctions against Russia, targeting 33 individuals and entities. Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters stated that these specific measures focus on cyber actors and those involved in the forced abduction and re-education of Ukrainian children.

This latest action follows a move by the United States Senate to pass a bill authorizing tariffs on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, including China and India. The sanctions are part of a broader effort to penalize the Federal Government of Russia for its ongoing war against Ukraine.

Since March 2022, New Zealand has sanctioned more than 2,000 entities and individuals. Peters emphasized that children should never be used as instruments of war and expressed deep concern over coercive state-directed programs used to re-educate Ukrainian youth.