Australia, New Zealand, UK announce new sanctions on Russia, target military ties

Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom have announced new sanctions targeting Russian individuals and entities, citing concerns over military cooperation and economic sectors, as tensions over the Ukraine war persist.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated that Canberra has imposed sanctions on 70 Russian nationals and financial restrictions on 79 entities, describing the measures as the most significant since February 2022, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The sanctions also target individuals and organisations accused of bolstering military ties between Russia and North Korea. In addition, restrictions have been placed on Russia’s defence, transport, and financial sectors, alongside measures against those allegedly involved in spreading disinformation about Ukraine. Australia has further banned the export of drones, drone components, and related technologies to Russia.

Meanwhile, New Zealand has introduced additional sanctions against 52 individuals and entities linked to Russia’s defence and energy sectors. Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the measures apply to regional officials, military commanders, and executives of defence enterprises.

Sanctions have also been imposed on Russian public organisations, including the Regional Public Foundation named after Hero of Russia Akhmat Kadyrov and its president, Aymani Kadyrova. Additionally, Wellington has taken action against North Korean individuals allegedly supporting Russia’s military industry, as well as Russian firms involved in oil extraction, transportation, and drone development.

In a coordinated show of solidarity with Kyiv, the UK is set to introduce further restrictions on Kremlin-linked elites. On February 24, the government will announce measures to ban top Russian officials and oligarchs from entering Britain.

The new policy will expand exclusion criteria to cover individuals who provide significant support to, or have privileged access to, the Russian government. Those who have amassed wealth or status due to their connections with the Russian state will also fall under these restrictions, the Home Office confirmed.

UK Security Minister Dan Jarvis said the move would “slam the door shut to the oligarchs who have enriched themselves at the expense of the Russian people whilst bankrolling this illegal and unjustifiable war.” He added, “My message to Putin’s friends in Moscow is simple: you are not welcome in the UK.”

The announcement follows Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s reaffirmation of Britain’s “ironclad” support for Kyiv and his insistence that Ukraine must remain central to any peace negotiations. As Starmer prepares to meet US President Donald Trump this week, the UK is also gearing up to unveil its largest package of sanctions against Russia since the early days of the war.

These measures are expected to align closely with a major EU sanctions initiative, reinforcing Western pressure on Moscow.

By Aghakazim Guliyev