New Zealand announces $15m contribution to support defence of Ukraine

New Zealand has announced a further $15 million in support for Ukraine’s defence, as the Government deepens its commitment to international efforts backing the country’s resistance against Russia’s invasion.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins confirmed the funding today, which will go towards a NATO and United States initiative to supply Ukraine with weapons and equipment. Peters says the defence of Ukraine carries implications far beyond Europe.

“The defence of Ukraine has significant implications not only for the security of Europe, but also for the Indo-Pacific,” he says.

“This is why New Zealand and Australia have today announced significant contributions to the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List. We are working together to support Ukraine as we navigate an increasingly challenging strategic environment.”

The Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) is designed to accelerate the delivery of critical weapons and equipment so Ukraine can defend itself, which Peters describes as its “number one priority” while diplomatic efforts continue.

Collins says New Zealand stands firmly with Ukraine as it enters a fourth winter under Russian assault.

“The challenge for the Armed Forces of Ukraine to defend its cities and its people remains immense in the face of the ongoing and relentless bombardment of Ukraine by Russian drones,” she says.

New Zealand is part of a wider international effort to support Ukraine to defend itself and repel Russian forces from its sovereign territory.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) says New Zealand’s support has included the deployment of NZDF personnel and assets, as well as funding for equipment, materiel and intelligence.

This includes training support in the UK and Europe, intelligence staff both abroad and in New Zealand, logistics personnel deployed to European hubs, and liaison officers working with international partners to coordinate assistance.

New Zealand has also provided non-lethal defence equipment to Ukraine on request.

To date, the Government has now contributed $41 million to weapons and ammunition procurement for Ukraine and almost $40 million in humanitarian assistance to help communities affected by the conflict.

Collins says the $15 million contribution will be used only for weapons or equipment that align with New Zealand’s international obligations and domestic policy settings.

The latest announcement comes as Australia also unveiled a major increase to its own defence contribution.

According to Australia’s ABC News, the Australian Government today announced it will provide an extra $95 million in military assistance to Ukraine and impose a new round of sanctions targeting ships believed to be part of Moscow’s so-called “shadow fleet”.

“The funding is Australia’s first significant boost to military support in more than a year, lifting Canberra’s total defence assistance to $1.7 billion since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

“Under the package, Australia and New Zealand will become the first non-NATO countries to contribute to the PURL, a NATO-coordinated mechanism that streamlines and accelerates military aid to Kyiv.”