Russia announced on Saturday that it would ban entry into its territory of 32 New Zealand officials and journalists, in response to similar measures taken by New Zealand against Moscow because of the Ukrainian conflict. Those sanctioned include Wellington Mayor Andrew John Whitfield Foster and Auckland Mayor Philip Bruce Goff, Commodore Garin Golding, Commander of Naval Forces New Zealand, and journalists Kate Green and Josie Pagani (The Dominion Post), the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
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This decision is taken “in response to the sanctions of the New Zealand government which affects more and more Russian citizens”, specifies the press release. In April, Russia already banned entry into its territory to New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, as well as to many ministers and parliamentarians.
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