“Children should never be used as instruments of war,” he said. “New Zealand remains deeply concerned by efforts to abduct and re-educate Ukrainian children through coercive state-directed programmes.”
The package also targets malicious cyber actors and people involved in spreading anti-Ukraine propaganda aimed at legitimising Russia’s invasion.
Peters said cyber activity could have real-world consequences, including helping Russia gather intelligence, evade sanctions and disrupt opponents of its war.
“New Zealand stands with our partners in calling out Moscow’s use of these actors.”
This is New Zealand’s 36th round of sanctions against Russia, since the Russia Sanctions Act came into force in March 2022.
More than 2000 individuals, entities and vessels have now been sanctioned by New Zealand, alongside trade measures targeting Russia.