The government will send NATO another $ 4.5 million for non-lethal military aid to Ukraine, and will send six more intelligence analysts to Europe to contribute to Eastern European war.
Russia has been waging war against Ukraine for four months and last week continued to make slow progress with the takeover of Ukrainian territory, claiming the eastern city of Sievierodonetsk over the weekend and firing missiles at other cities.
Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson will speak on support for Ukraine at the government’s weekly media briefing, after the cabinet met on Monday afternoon, in place of the prime minister.
The government announced further support for Ukraine on Monday afternoon as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern traveled to Europe to attend a meeting of the NATO Defense Alliance.
Efrem Lukatsky / AP
Local resident Tetyana points to her home on Friday, June 24, 2022, which was badly damaged by Russian shelters in Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine.
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“While in Madrid, I plan to discuss the future trajectory of the war, and what additional humanitarian needs we can expect,” Ardern said in a statement.
The $ 4.5m in funding will go to a NATO trust fund that provides Ukraine with non-lethal military equipment and supplies, such as fuel, communications equipment and medical supplies. As with a previous $ 4.2 million sent to this fund, it would not be spent on weapons.
The six Army intelligence analysts sent to the UK to help with war intelligence will now remain in the country until 30 November. Another six analysts will also be deployed to the UK for the next five months.
ROBERT KITCHIN / Stuff
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says climate change and efforts to increase peace and stability and her top priorities when she leaves for Europe.
An Hercules air force deployed to Europe to help transport military supplies to Ukraine returned to New Zealand earlier this month. A separate group of four Army logistics specialists deployed to Germany will remain for another two months, until 31 August.
Liaison officers will also remain in Belgium and the UK for a further five months, and another officer will be sent to Germany for the next two months.
Ardern, who is traveling to Europe in the hope of promoting free trade negotiations with the European Union, will attend a NATO meeting focusing mainly on Russia’s war with Ukraine.
ROBERT KITCHIN / Stuff
Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson will hold the post-cabinet press conference as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern travels to Europe.
Also on the agenda are the rise of China and security implications of climate change.
New Zealand is not part of the North Atlantic Defense Alliance, but has been invited along with Australia, Japan and South Korea as “Asia-Pacific partners”.