New Zealand will provide another $3 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine, Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Manhuta said after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addressed Kiwi MPs at the Beehive on Wednesday.
Mahuta, in a statement, expressed New Zealand's readiness to continue supporting Ukraine by supplying the likes of medical supplies, power generators, food and water as Ukrainians "face severe hardships over the winter".
This week, some 70 countries and institutions worldwide have pledged more than 1 billion euros in immediate aid to help Ukraine get through a harsh winter as Russian forces batter its energy grid and other critical civilian infrastructure.
"Russia's targeting of energy and other civilian infrastructure is deplorable," Mahuta said. "As Ukraine faces a harsh winter, [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's actions have further disrupted electricity supply and are harming the health, safety and well-being of already vulnerable communities."
New Zealand was also urging Russia to ensure the safety of neutral humanitarian organisations and "facilitate their access to communities in urgent need of assistance", she added.
"We call on Russia to immediately cease attempts to weaponise winter in Ukraine and to end the targeting of critical infrastructure."
Mahuta said the latest aid package was in addition to $7.93 million already provided to Ukraine by New Zealand.
"We continue to stand with the people of Ukraine as they face severe hardships over the winter."
