New Zealand on Monday announced an additional $13 million in the military and legal aid for Ukraine including deployment of C-130 Hercules transport aircraft to Europe, officials said.
In a statement, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the cabinet has approved providing $7.5 million to the UK to procure weapons and ammunition for Ukraine's armed forces from the additional $13 million aid. The remaining amount will be provided to Ukraine to support commercial satellite access for their defense intelligence, the statement added.
Wellington will also give $1 million to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and $500,000 to the International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court.
“Our support is to assist the Ukraine Army to repel a brutal Russian invasion because peace in the region of Europe is essential for global stability,” said Jacinda Ardern.
“Such a blatant attack on a country’s sovereignty is a threat to all of us and that’s why we too have a role to play," she added.
According to the premier, the cabinet also decided to deploy Defense Forces C-130 Hercules transport aircraft with 50 support personnel from Wednesday to Europe – for two months.
However, the New Zealand aircraft and personnel will not enter Ukraine, it explained.
“Over the next few months, our team will travel throughout Europe transporting much-needed equipment and supplies to key distribution centers, but at no point will they enter Ukraine," said Defense Minister Peeni Henare.
