New Zealand has announced a new aid package to Ukraine worth NZD 25.9 million (USD 15.9 million). This is stated by Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins, Interfax-Ukraine reports.
It is noted that this support will increase the total amount of aid pledged by New Zealand over the past two years to more than NZD 100 million.
About $4 million will be invested in the International Fund for Ukraine, managed by the United Kingdom, to purchase weapons and ammunition for Armed Forces. Another $4.3 million will be used for humanitarian aid, and $1.8 million will be allocated to the World Bank's Ukraine Recovery Fund.
In addition, the ministers said, New Zealand will extend the presence of its military personnel in Europe and the UK until June 2025.
"Up to 97 NZDF (New Zealand Defence Forces) servicemen will continue to train Ukrainian soldiers and provide intelligence, communications and logistical support," Collins said.
The statement also said that new restrictive measures against Russia are currently being considered to counteract sanctions evasion.