New Zealand announces more military assistance to Ukraine
Sydney, Australia, Mar 28 (EFE).- New Zealand announced Monday further military support for Ukraine against “Russia’s unprovoked and illegal invasion.”
“We will deploy nine New Zealand Defence Force personnel to the United Kingdom and Belgium, to support our partners in intelligence and engagement work, over the next three months,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in a statement.
While seven defense intelligence analysts will be posted to the UK “to assist with the heightened demand for intelligence assessments,” another two officials will be sent to the UK and Belgium “to enhance our engagement with, and understanding of, partner activities related to Ukraine,” she added.
“One will work with the existing Defence Attaché and New Zealand military representative to NATO, and one will work within the UK’s Permanent Joint Headquarters,” according to the leader.
Ardern also announced the cabinet’s approval of “the use of the Defence Force’s open source intelligence capabilities for three months to support the UK and other European partners.”
Last week, the New Zealand government said it would send non-lethal military aid to Ukraine, “the first time New Zealand has provided direct funding to a third party organization for non-lethal military assistance of this kind,” Ardern had said then.
The country also announced humanitarian aid to Ukraine as well as temporary visas for the family members of Ukrainians living in the country.
The Wellington government imposed sanctions against 460 Russian entities and individuals, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.
This was done after the approval earlier in the month of a new law that enables New Zealand to impose economic sanctions targeting specific people, and companies, assets and services involved with Russia’s aggression.
“We know that sanctions globally have been making it harder for the Russian regime to fund its war. The rouble has collapsed in value, and Russia is on its way out from being in the top 20 economies in the world. And New Zealand is playing its part in this,” Ardern said.
Until the approval of the Russia Sanctions Act, New Zealand’s law only allowed the implementation of sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council, where Russia has the right to veto.
On Feb. 25, New Zealand announced the imposition of sanctions against Russia as well as the indefinite suspension of bilateral ministerial consultations. EFE
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