New Zealand adds 33 targets in 36th round of Russia sanctions

New Zealand announced its 36th round of sanctions against Russia, placing 33 individuals and entities on a new sanctions list. The measures focus on actors linked to digital technology and the defence sector, and also include representatives from North Korea and Iran. This follows a May announcement of the 35th round, which added 20 targets, and continues the country's enforcement of the Russia Sanctions Act first adopted in March 2022, bringing the total number of sanctioned persons, entities and vessels to more than 2,000 across all rounds.

The sanctions were unveiled by Foreign Minister Winston Peters. In related developments, the United States Senate passed the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, a sweeping bill that could impose secondary sanctions on countries that import large volumes of Russian oil and gas. The legislation now moves to the House for consideration and also extends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996.

Both actions reflect ongoing international efforts to pressure Russia over its war in Ukraine and to curb financial and logistical support for the conflict.