New Zealand's coalition government timed the second anniversary of Russia's illegal ground invasion of Ukraine with an announcement of $NZ25.9 million ($A24.5 million) in assistance, and an extension of its military training program.
Total financial support from Wellington - on military aid, humanitarian support, legal challenges and reconstuction efforts - totals just over $NZ100 million ($A94 million) in the past two years.
I am thankful to New Zealand and Prime Minister — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) @chrisluxonmp for the new assistance package. This timely support includes facilitating Ukrainian soldier training, strengthening our defense capabilities, intelligence and logistics support, communications, humanitarian…February 22, 2024
Defence Minister Judith Collins said New Zealand's deployment, previously based in the United Kingdom, would in July "evolve to match the changing needs of Ukraine and its partners" and train troops as needed across Europe - though not inside Ukraine.
"Up to 97 NZDF personnel will continue to train Ukrainian soldiers, and provide intelligence, liaison and logistics support," she said.
Kiwi defence personnel will train Ukrainian troops in combat casualty care, combat engineering, leadership and maritime explosive ordnance device training.
The funding includes $NZ6.5 million ($A6.1 million) for lethal aid, through the UK's International Fund for Ukraine, and $NZ710 million ($A9.4 million) worth of humanitarian and reconstruction support.
Mr Peters said New Zealand stood by Ukraine as the war "has had a horrific human cost, caused immense suffering and has significantly impacted regional and global stability".
"It demonstrates New Zealand's unwavering support for Ukraine, and our serious commitment to defending an international rules-based system that reflects our values and supports our interests," Mr Peters said.
This new package does not include any military equipment, despite Foreign Minister Winston Peters saying last year the defence force was currently making an assessment of what it could give, based on what it doesn't need.
Mr Zelenskiy placed his thanks for the "timely support" on social media.
"I appreciate New Zealand's continued and steadfast support for Ukraine, which demonstrates that geographical distance doesn't matter when it comes to defending shared values of freedom and international law," he said.
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