<\/p>\n
\nPrime Minister Christopher Luxon.
\nPhoto: RNZ \/ Samuel Rillstone\n<\/p>\n
The government has announced a $16 million support package for Ukraine ahead of this week’s NATO Summit in the Hague.<\/p>\n
Two multi-national funds providing Kyiv with lethal and non-lethal military assistance will each receive $4 million.<\/p>\n
Another $7 million will go to further humanitarian assistance for conflict-affected communities, and one million is for Ukrainians displaced in neighbouring countries.<\/p>\n
The Prime Minister said New Zealand stood in solidarity with Ukraine.<\/p>\n
“Its war of self-defence is well into its fourth year and our condemnation of Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion<\/a> remains undiminished,” Luxon said.<\/p>\n The support package follows recently announced sanctions targeting Russia’s “shadow fleet” and other enablers of Russia’s war in Ukraine.<\/p>\n Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters said the defence of Ukraine had significant implications on the security<\/a> of the Euro-Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific.<\/p>\n “We must continue to work with others in the international community to uphold a rules-based order that serves all our interests,” Peters said.<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n