Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says New Zealand’s resolve has not waned for supporting the Ukraine. New Zealand is increasing its military, humanitarian, legal and economic support for Ukraine.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins announced the new measures while visiting New Zealand Defence Force personnel training Ukrainian soldiers at the Salisbury Army Training area outside of London, in the United Kingdom.
The new assistance includes extending the training deployment of 95 NZDF personnel until 30 June, 2024 and adding two additional NZDF staff to conduct space training programmes for members of the Ukraine Armed Forces in Poland, until 30 June, 2024.
“For more than a year New Zealand has stood with the people of Ukraine as they have been subject to a brutal, unrelenting and illegal invasion by Russia,” Hipkins said.
Over the past year New Zealand has contributed more than $78m of financial and military support.
So far 440 NZDF personnel have been deployed to support Ukraine, with 279 directly involved in the artillery and infantry training being carried out in the United Kingdom. Defence Minister Andrew Little said more than 1000 Ukraine military have been trained.
Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta says New Zealand continues to condemn Russia’s “egregious and illegal actions”.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta said New Zealand now has sanctions targeting more than 1500 Russian and Belarussian individuals and entities.
Credit: radionz.co.nz
