The Ukrainian community in New Zealand at the Mahi For Ukraine nonprofit has welcomed the government’s decision to provide a new support package for Ukraine.
“Thank you New Zealand! You’re standing on the right side of history,” the group said.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters announced a new aid package worth over $9.4 million on June 23. The announcement comes just ahead of the NATO summit scheduled for June 24–25 in The Hague.
“New Zealand stands in solidarity with Ukraine. Its war of self-defence is well into its fourth year and our condemnation of Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion remains undiminished,” said Luxon.
Roughly $2.3 million will be directed toward two international initiatives: NATO’s security assistance and training mission for Ukraine, and the Drone Coalition for Ukraine that is led by Latvia and the UK.
“The scale of need remains vast, as Russia continues its bombardment of densely populated civilian areas of Ukraine,” the prime minister said.
Another $4.1 million will go toward humanitarian aid for war-affected communities in Ukraine. An additional $500,000 will support Ukrainians who have been forced to flee to neighboring countries.
“The defense of Ukraine has significant implications not only for the security of the Euro-Atlantic, but also for the Indo-Pacific,” said Peters. “We must continue to work with others in the international community to uphold a rules-based order that serves all our interests.”
This new aid package follows recently imposed sanctions targeting Russia’s so-called shadow fleet and individuals involved in fueling its aggression in Ukraine.
“It is vital the international community maintains pressure on Russia to end its war and engage meaningfully with efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” Peters said.
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