Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER
- The Foreign Minister Winston Peters says further sanctions will be imposed on Russian entities
- Monday marks three years since Russia's invasion of Ukraine
- A $3m contribution will be made to the World Bank-administered Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced additional sanctions on Russian entities, alongside further support for Ukraine's recovery and rebuild.
It comes as the world marks three years on Monday since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The new sanctions target entities involved in Russia's military-industrial complex, its energy sector, North Korean support of Russia, and the forced relocation and re-education of Ukrainian children.
"Russia's illegal invasion has brought three years of devastation to Ukraine's people, environment, and infrastructure," Peters said.
The government will also make a $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 said.
The Russia Sanctions Act entered into force in March 2022, a month after the invasion, with New Zealand imposing sanctions on more than 1800 individuals and entities.
These also include a ban on all Russian and Belarusian government and military aircraft and vessels from New Zealand, a ban on exports to Russian and Belarusian military and security forces, and a suspension of bilateral Foreign Ministry consultations with Russia.
Several trade measures, including a 35 percent tariff on all Russian imports to New Zealand have also been imposed.
Canterbury University professor and Ukrainian Studies Association of Australia and New Zealand president Natalia Chaban told Morning Report a peace deal over Ukraine would involve "difficult negotiations" and compromises were "inevitable".
"I think what we can see now from the Ukrainian response is that Ukraine would apreciate to be treated as a partner.
"It's not only Ukraine who is excluded from these negotiations - we're talking about European partners and they are very important partners too."
Chaban said all Ukrainians would have been "surprised and shocked" by US president Donald Trump's remarks describing Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky a dictator.
"There definitely is a feeling of uncertainty and shock and suprise, if not disillusionment and betrayal," she said.
"These tensions are not usual.
"These three years showed that Ukraine is [a country] that is well known to the world and recognised and has a positive reputation."
Chaban told Morning Report she was unsure whether Ukraine would be forced to give up some territory to strike a peace deal.
"In an ideal world we want to go back to the borders of 1991.
"What we do know is that the Ukrainian army at the moment is one of the most capable armies in Europe.
"And there is New Zealand contribution to that."
