WELLINGTON (CU)_Over the past few weeks, the government of New Zealand initiated a host of measures to reaffirm its support to Ukraine in the face of Russia’s aggression. This includes the imposition of sanctions on Russia, as well as the launching of a special visa for Ukrainians with New Zealand connections. This week, the Pacific island decided to take it up a notch, initiating what has been described as “extraordinary measures” to assist the war-torn nation.
According to a statement published by the New Zealand government on Monday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, together with Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta, announced plans to provide a further $5 million contribution of non-lethal military assistance to Kyiv, in order to make a range of surplus defence equipment available to share with the besieged nation. It said the funds will be primarily directed to a NATO Trust Fund which provides rations, fuel, first aid kits and communication equipment to Ukraine.
“We consider what is happening in Ukraine as a massive disruption to the international rules-based order and because of that it impacts all of us and that’s why we have taken these extraordinary measures,” PM Ardern told a news conference. She added that the decision was made in response to specific requests made by the government of Ukraine and focuses on items which have been identified as having “the most strategic value to those in the conflict”. “This is the first time New Zealand has provided direct funding to a third party organisation for non-lethal military assistance of this kind, and underscores the importance of rejecting any actions which have adverse consequences for state sovereignty, and that we must defend in every way we can, the democratic institutions and principles that New Zealand so deeply believes in,” the Kiwi leader added.
The equipment currently held by the NZ Defence Force which will be sent to Ukraine will consist of body armour plates, helmets, camouflage vests and harness webbing. According to Minister Mahuta, the NZDF is working on determining how much of the equipment is needed, while officials continue to assess ways to respond further to Ukraine’s monitor humanitarian needs. “Aotearoa New Zealand stands with the international community in condemning Putin’s unjustified and illegal attack on Ukraine,” the Foreign Minister noted.
