“WLPrime Minister Jacinda said: “No bill of this kind has been submitted to our Parliament, but with Russia vetoing UN sanctions, we must act to support Ukraine and our partners in opposing this invasion.” Ardern was quoted by the New Zealand Herald.
Ardern said the sanctions would freeze Russian assets in New Zealand, prevent people and companies from transferring money and goods into the country, and prevent yachts, ships and aircraft from entering New Zealand’s waters or airspace.
The Prime Minister stressed that “the bill also allows for the imposition of sanctions on other countries that are complicit in Russia’s illegal actions, such as Belarus.”
On the other hand, Ardern encouraged China to “take a stand on what happened in Ukraine.”
Today, his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison urged Beijing to condemn the Russian invasion.
In the early hours of February 24, Russia launched a military attack on Ukraine that, according to the Kyiv authorities, killed more than 2,000 civilians.
The attacks also caused more than 1.5 million people to flee to neighboring countries, according to the United Nations.
The Russian invasion was condemned by most of the international community, and responded by sending weapons to Ukraine and strengthening economic sanctions against Moscow.
Read also: UK to inject €91m into Ukraine’s economy
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