New Zealand offers greater support to Ukraine, as war enters a fifth year

It was on this day in 2022 that Russian forces invaded Ukraine.

Over those years, the war has claimed 15,000 civilian lives and injured more than 41,000 people, according to a recent United Nations monitoring report. 

The UN estimated around $327 billion (NZD) in damage has accumulated due to Russian attacks. It also estimated it would cost around $927 billion in reconstruction and recovery over the next decade. 

This is the situation that Ukrainians continue to face. 

Now, the NZ government has announced $8 million in additional support to Ukraine and enforced further sanctions on Russia. 

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has once again condemned the war.

“Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion, now entering its fifth year, has devastated Ukraine, destabilised Europe and impacted the security of our own region.”

Peters said Russian attacks on energy infrastructure have worsened the situation.

“It’s appalling, millions of people are freezing there, without the resources to help warm them up in the winter time. It’s horrible and extreme… but it is designed to break their spirit.”

$5 million will go to humanitarian assistance, to help civilians suffering in a brutally cold winter, and the last $3 million will go toward the Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund.

NZ has also announced another round of sanctions on those involved in the war, which include lowering the price cap on Russian crude oil and sanctioning 100 shadow fleet vessels. It also sanctioned ‘actors from Belarus, Iran, and North Korea, alongside alternative payment providers, malicious cyber actors, and those supporting Russia’s military‑industrial complex.’