New Zealand announces aid package for Ukraine worth over $9 million

The flag of New Zealand. Illustrative photo: Getty images

New Zealand will provide Ukraine with a new aid package worth more than $9.4 million. It will include both military and humanitarian aid.

This is stated in a statement by the New Zealand government.

In particular, $2.3 million will be allocated to multinational funds that provide Ukraine with lethal and non-lethal assistance — the NATO Security Assistance Fund and the «Drone Coalition», coordinated by the UK and Latvia.

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Foreign Secretary Winston Peters emphasised that Ukraine's defence is extremely important for the whole world.

«Ukraine's defence has significant implications not only for the security of the Euro-Atlantic region, but also for the Indo-Pacific region. We must continue to work with other members of the international community to maintain a rules-based order that serves all of our interests,» said Winston Peters.

Another $4.1 million will go to support affected communities inside Ukraine, and $593,000 will be used to help Ukrainians who have taken refuge in neighbouring countries.

In his turn, Prime Minister Christopher Lacson focused on the devastating consequences of Russia's attacks on Ukraine.

«The scale of the needs remains enormous as Russia continues to bomb densely populated civilian areas of Ukraine,» said Christopher Laxon.

Wellington also recalled the recently imposed sanctions against Russia's «shadow fleet» and those involved in the continuation of the war.

«It is imperative that the international community continues to put pressure on Russia to end the war and join the efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine,»Winston Peters said.

As a reminder, New Zealand has expanded sanctions against Russia over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.