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1News
3 hours ago
- Politics
- 1News
Govt announces $16m in new Ukraine support ahead of NATO Summit
The New Zealand Government has announced $16 million in additional support for Ukraine, revealed just before Prime Minister Christopher Luxon takes part in a NATO Summit in the Netherlands. The Prime Minister said the country "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," Luxon said. The support will go towards two $4 million contributions to funds for lethal and non-lethal military support, including the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine fund, and the UK and Latvia-led Drone Coalition for Ukraine. New Zealand will also provide $7 million in further humanitarian aid for conflict-affected communities in Ukraine, and $1 million for Ukrainians displaced in neighbouring countries. ADVERTISEMENT Ahead of attending a NATO Summit in The Hague this week, Luxon said he expected Ukraine to be on the agenda alongside the ongoing US and Israeli conflict with Iran. "There'll be a lot of conversation, obviously, about the Middle East, but there'll also be a lot of conversation about Ukraine as well," he told media in Brussels. "We may be a long way from these conflicts, but it's important, if you've got values, that you stand up for them, you articulate them, and, where you can, put support to them." Foreign Minister Winston Peters said it's "vital" countries keep pressure on Russia and work to "achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine." Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins. (Source: 1News) "The defence of Ukraine has significant implications not only for the security of the Euro-Atlantic, but also for the Indo-Pacific," Peters said in a media release. "We must continue to work with others in the international community to uphold a rules-based order that serves all our interests." ADVERTISEMENT New Zealand's total support since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 totals over $168 million and includes a deployment of up to 100 Defence Force personnel who are providing military training. Luxon's European visit continues On the second day of Luxon's five-day trip in Europe, he visited war memorials in Belgium's Ypres, an area where several key battles took place in World War I. This included the Battle of Passchendaele, where more New Zealanders were killed than on any other day since the start of the war, with around 960 soldiers killed according to Parliament. The event is known as the darkest days in New Zealand's history. Luxon also visited the only Māori war memorial in Europe, Pou Maumahara, as well as Passchendaele Museum, Tyne Cot Cemetery and the New Zealand Battlefield Memorial at Messines Ridge. The PM said the day had been 'quite sobering.' Around 18,000 New Zealanders died during World War I or because of it, and 41,000 instances of wounding or illness were recorded. More than one in ten New Zealanders served in the Expeditionary Forces, with the country's population approximately 1.1 million at the time.
Scoop
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Scoop
New Zealand Announces Further Aid For Ukraine
Rt Hon Christopher Luxon Prime Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters Minister of Foreign Affairs Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have announced a new $16 million package of support for Ukraine ahead of this week's NATO Summit 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,' Mr Luxon says. New Zealand's will make $4 million contributions to two multi-national funds providing lethal and non-lethal military assistance for Ukraine: the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) fund; and the United Kingdom and Latvia-led Drone Coalition for Ukraine. 'The defence of Ukraine has significant implications not only for the security of the Euro-Atlantic, but also for the Indo-Pacific,' Mr Peters says. 'We must continue to work with others in the international community to uphold a rules-based order that serves all our interests.' New Zealand will also provide $7 million in further humanitarian assistance for conflict affected communities in Ukraine, and $1 million for Ukrainians displaced in neighbouring countries. 'The scale of need remains vast, as Russia continues its bombardment of densely populated civilian areas of Ukraine,' Mr Luxon says. This support package follows the recently announced sanctions targeting Russia's 'shadow fleet' and other enablers of Russia's war 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,' Mr Peters says. More information about diplomatic, military, humanitarian and economic support to Ukraine, as well as sanctions, travel bans, and export controls against Russia, can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade website here. Notes: The Government has implemented the following actions in response to Russia's war against Ukraine: · Passed the historic Russia Sanctions Act under which we have implemented sanctions targeting: o Vladimir Putin and key members of his inner circle. o Senior leadership of the Security Council of the Russian Federation. o All 620 members of the Russian parliament (State Duma and Federation Council). o All Russian Ministers and Governors. o More than 400 entities including state-owned enterprises, entities that are part of Russia's military industrial complex, Donbas militia groups, and Belarusian defence entities. o More than 110 oligarchs and immediate family with close ties and influence with the Russian Government. o 20 financial institutions, including Russia's Central Bank o 7 Belarusian financial institutions. o 56 individuals and entities involved in disinformation and cyber-attacks on Ukraine. o 15 members of the Central Election Commission. o Almost 100 Russian-directed leaders in occupied Ukrainian regions. o The Commissioner for Children's Rights in the Office of the President of the Russian Federation. o 23 Iranian individuals and 17 Iranian entities for supplying drones to Russia. o Individuals and entities involved in the supply of DPRK military materiel to Russia for use in Ukraine. · Banned all Russian and Belarusian Government and military aircraft and vessels from New Zealand. · Banned exports to Russian and Belarusian military and security forces. · Suspended bilateral Foreign Ministry Consultations with Russia. · Endorsed the UK-initiated Call to Action on the 'shadow fleet' engaged in sanctions circumvention by carrying Russian oil and gas. The Call to Action promotes compliance with international standards for maritime safety, environmental protection, and insurance. Trade measures · Implemented a 35% tariff on all Russian imports to New Zealand. · Banned the import of Russian gold into New Zealand. · Significantly expanded the export ban on Russia and Belarus to cover more industrial products of strategic importance (by adding more than 700 new prohibited tariff lines). · Banned the import of Russian oil, gas, and coal. · Banned the export of oil exploration and oil production goods to Russia. · Banned the import from and export to Russia of certain luxury goods. · Implemented the G7-plus oil price cap on Russian-origin oil. Other assistance to Ukraine · Since the full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022, New Zealand has pledged over $168 million in financial assistance and in-kind support to Ukraine in the face of Russia's invasion. That includes: o support for military training, equipment, and materiel valued at $110.3 million, including up to 100 NZDF personnel deployed to Europe. o $39.9 million in humanitarian assistance to conflict-affected Ukrainian communities in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries. o $6 million in support for recovery and reconstruction. o $5.2 million in support for international legal processes and human rights monitoring.
