Russian authorities said Thursday that they have imposed sanctions against 31 New Zealand citizens for their support for Ukraine amid the Russian invasion and what Moscow has called a «Russophobia campaign» against the country.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that «in response to sanctions imposed against Russian individuals and entities by the Government of New Zealand (…), 31 New Zealanders will be banned indefinitely from entering Russia.»
Among those affected are senior government officials, journalists and public figures from across the country who «have been implicated in pushing forward an anti-Russian agenda in support of Kiev».
Last December, New Zealand authorities sanctioned a further 23 people for allegedly supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as part of a series of measures taken in retaliation for the Russian military’s actions.
The New Zealand government has imposed sanctions against more than 1,200 individuals and entities in connection with the Ukraine war and has also introduced unprecedented trade sanctions, leading to a clear reduction in trade ties between the parties.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)