The Government has ramped up Aotearoa's support for Ukraine, including extending its defence commitments, and humanitarian, legal and economic support as Russia's invasion continues.
While visiting New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel training Ukrainian troops outside of London, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins announced a raft of measures the Government is introducing to further support Ukraine.
"Since February last year New Zealand has taken significant and unprecedented actions to support Ukraine, including the deployment of NZDF troops into Europe and passing the Russia Sanctions Act that has enabled us to impose targeted sanctions for the first time outside of the UN framework."
Prime Minister Hipkins said it appears the conflict is "set to continue for some time" and the new package shows "our resolve has not waned".
Further support:
- Extend deployment for one year of 95 NZDF personnel training and supporting Ukrainian armed forces through to June 30, 2024
- Two additional NZDF personnel deployed to Poland to conduct space training programmes for members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine until June 30, 2024
- $2m to Ukraine Humanitarian Fund to support the provision of healthcare, food assistance, clean water, shelter and other assistance
- $1.5 million to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, providing humanitarian support to Ukrainian refugees
- $500,000 towards a New Zealand Disaster Response Partnership with New Zealand NGOs on the regional refugee response
- $1.3 million of funding to the International Criminal Court's Office of the Prosecutor and Trust Fund for Victims to ensure legal accountability and justice for victims in Ukraine
- Further sanctions targeting a total of 18 entities and nine individuals supporting Russia's war against Ukraine.
Defence Minister Andrew Little said 440 NZDF personnel have been deployed to support Ukraine so far.
"Infantry training teams deployed to the United Kingdom have trained more than 1000 members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine so far. Last year the NZDF artillery team trained almost 300 Ukrainians on the L119 Gun," Minister Little said.
"The extension of this deployment of 95 personnel providing training and supporting for the Ukrainian armed forces for a further year demonstrates both our ongoing commitment to the defence of their homeland as well as the value of this commitment."
He added NZDF personnel have been invited by the US to support the training of Ukrainian personnel in Western-led space operations.
"This work may also include the training of Polish Armed Forces personnel."
NZDF personnel will not be deployed from Europe to Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced further sanctions targeting 18 entities and nine individuals that are supporting Russia's war.
"These sanctions cover senior leaders of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), Russia's internal security and intelligence service, the FSB itself, as well as other Russian individuals and entities who develop and procure weapons, technology and communication systems, and provide services such as transport and insurance - all vital to Russia's ability to wage war."
