PM Jacinda Ardern announces travel ban for Russians expelled from other countries after Salisbury nerve agent attack

The Government has imposed travel bans on Russians expelled from other countries in the wake of the Salisbury nerve agent attack.

"We will be asking our security partners to provide those names to us," Prime Minister
Jacinda Ardern said in a joint statement with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters.

"Those names will then be placed on a travel ban list to ensure that individuals who have been found to undertake activities incompatible with their diplomatic status in other countries do not enter New Zealand."

Ardern and Peters said New Zealand had clearly registered its deep concern over the Salisbury attack and the inadequate response from Russia to justified questions. New Zealand's views have been conveyed through media statements and in direct discussions with the Russian Government, both in Wellington and in Moscow.

"Like our partners, we are raising questions on legitimate matters of international concern," said Winston Peters.

"As we said soon after the Salisbury attack, there are serious questions here that Russia needs to answer."

More to come.