New Zealand has expanded the list of sanctions against Russia.

According to the report of APA citing BBC, the New Zealand government has added 51 Russian citizens and 24 officials, as well as two companies, to the list of sanctions, which it says are related to the annexation of regions of Ukraine.

The new list includes the names of Lukoil's Board of Directors and former head of the company Vahid Alekbarov, Gazprombank's Board of Directors Chairman Andrey Akimov, Vneshekonombank Chairman Sergey Gorkov and other businessmen.

"After the measures taken in April, trade between Russia and New Zealand has significantly decreased, imports have decreased by 75%.

Today's additional restrictions will reinforce our message to Russia that we will not fund or support the Russian military machine," New Zealand Trade Minister Damien O'Connor said.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand, Nanaya Makhuta, noted that Alexander Abramov and his family, who have ties to his country, are among those who have been sanctioned.

According to the minister, the Abramov family has been banned from traveling, and their ships and planes will not be allowed to enter New Zealand ports and airports.