Mahi For Ukraine praises New Zealand’s Russia oil and fleet sanctions

The Ukrainian community in New Zealand, Mahi For Ukraine, has welcomed the government’s decision to expand sanctions against Russia’s covert tanker fleet and oil industry.

The new restrictive measures target the Kremlin and were announced by New Zealand’s Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters during a meeting with Northern European foreign ministers in Stockholm.

“We are grateful to the New Zealand Government & Rt Hon Winston Peters for imposing sanctions on 65 vessels involved in transporting russian oil — another clear step in the right direction,” Mahi For Ukraine said.

The community said that this move applies more pressure on Russia’s war machine and demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to supporting Ukraine.

“We call on all partners to keep up the momentum until russia is forced to end its aggression once and for all,” the organization said.

In addition to the 65 ships of the Russian shadow fleet, sanctions were also imposed on several companies and individuals from Belarus, Iran, and North Korea that are involved in transporting, processing, or financing Russian oil.

“These entities are part of a broader network that enables the trade of Russian oil, undermining global efforts to restrict funding for Russia’s illegal war,” Peters said.

He also said that by targeting the oil supply chain, New Zealand is firmly supporting international efforts to compel Russia to come to the negotiating table and find a lasting peace in the war it started against Ukraine.