Source: New Zealand Government
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have announced a further $16 million of support for Ukraine, as it defends itself against Russia’s illegal invasion.
The announcement of further support for Ukraine comes as Prime Minister Luxon attends the NATO Leaders’ Summit in Washington DC.
“New Zealand will provide an additional $6 million in military assistance for Ukraine, and $10 million in humanitarian assistance for affected communities in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries,” Mr Luxon says.
Of the military assistance, New Zealand will provide $2 million to support military healthcare for Ukraine, and $4 million to the drone capability coalition for Ukraine led by the United Kingdom and Latvia.
“New Zealand understands that while we are distant from Ukraine, what happens there affects us all, and we are prepared to stand with Ukraine for the long haul.”
Winston Peters says Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 was a blatant violation of international law, including the UN Charter.
“It was illegal, unprovoked, and unjustified.
“Russia’s war of aggression has undermined global peace and security, and Russia’s obstruction at the United Nations has undermined the multilateral institutions charged with keeping all of us safe,” Mr Peters says.
The $16 million package will bring the total value of New Zealand’s assistance pledged in the past two and a half years to more than $130 million.
New sanctions under the Russia Sanctions Act 2022, focussed on individuals and entities providing military and strategic support for Russia’s aggression, will be announced in the coming days.
