On February 24, New Zealand declared a new humanitarian assistance package for Ukraine amounting to 8 million New Zealand dollars (approximately $4.7 million) and introduced additional sanctions against Russia. This announcement was made public through a press release from the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Winston Peters, stated,
“Russia’s bombing of civilian infrastructure this winter has severely impacted the people of Ukraine, and this assistance demonstrates New Zealand’s unwavering solidarity. These contributions will help meet urgent needs arising from Russia’s brutal winter attacks on Ukrainians and their energy infrastructure.”
Of the total aid, 5 million New Zealand dollars (about $2.98 million) will be allocated to international partners assisting civilian Ukrainians who have been significantly affected by the war. The remaining 3 million New Zealand dollars (over $1.7 million) will be directed to the Trust Fund for Assistance, Recovery, Reconstruction, and Reforms in Ukraine, which is administered by the World Bank.
With this latest commitment, New Zealand’s total humanitarian assistance to Ukraine over the past four years reaches 45 million New Zealand dollars (approximately $26.8 million).
In addition to the humanitarian aid, the New Zealand government announced the implementation of its 34th sanctions package against Russia, which includes a reduction in the price cap on Russian crude oil and sanctions targeting 100 vessels associated with a shadow fleet. Furthermore, New Zealand has imposed sanctions on entities from Belarus, Iran, and North Korea, as well as on alternative payment providers, cyber entities, and those supporting Russia’s military-industrial complex.
On the same day, the United Kingdom and Denmark also announced new support packages for Ukraine.
New Zealand has announced an 8 million NZD humanitarian aid package for Ukraine, alongside new sanctions against Russia. This support underscores New Zealand's ongoing commitment to assist Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict.