A further 120 New Zealand soldiers will deploy to the United Kingdom to train Ukrainian soldiers for frontline fighting against Russian troops.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the deployment on Monday afternoon, at a press conference being livestreamed above.
Two infantry training teams would assist with the training of 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers in weapon handling, first aid, and military law.
The soldiers would leave for the United Kingdom in the coming three weeks, and return at the end fo November. They will not enter Ukraine.
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“We have been clear that a blatant attack on a country’s sovereignty and the subsequent loss of innocent lives is wrong and intolerable. Our condemnation will continue to extend beyond words and include practical support,” Ardern said.
“We’ve been told that among one of the highest priorities for Ukraine right now to further strengthen its self defence of country and people.”
New Zealand soldiers “have not and will not engage in combat in Ukraine’s territory”, Ardern said.
The deployment appears to have been arranged in recent weeks. Defence Minister Peeni Henare said less than two weeks ago that Cabinet was not considering new deployments to assist Ukraine.
Henare on Monday said the UK had invited New Zealand to contribute to its efforts training Ukraine soldiers. The training would be based on the UK’s basic soldier training course.
ROBERT KITCHIN/Stuff
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced support for Ukraine earlier in the year.
The Cabinet decision has come as Ukraine has called on New Zealand to provide greater assistance.
Ukraine’s ambassador to New Zealand, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, met with Ardern in Wellington last week and spoke publicly about the country’s need for assistance.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also said world leaders, including Ardern, need to visit Ukraine, in an interview with New Zealand journalist Tova O’Brien.
Ardern had declined an invitation to visit Kyiv alongside Australian Prime Minister Antony Albanese earlier in the year due to a scheduling conflict.
“We haven’t taken that option off the table, but it’s fair to say I have no current travel plans into the region or indeed to Europe, at this stage,” she said.
“In my conversation with him [Zelenskyy], I sense that he absolutely understood our situation, but the invitation remained on the table for me.”
The Government earlier this year sent 30 troops to the UK to train Ukrainians in artillery firing, as well as deploying intelligence officers and a C130 Hercules to the UK and Europe to aid the war effort.
National Party leader Christopher Luxon, speaking before the announcement, said he was “happy to support” using troops to support Ukraine’s efforts.
He said it would be “fantastic” if Ardern had the opportunity to visit Kyiv, he said.
“The bottom line is we are supportive of meeting our obligations as part of that alliance, and standing up for what’s right,” he said.
Ukraine has continued to fight off a full-scale invasion of its country launched by Russia in February.
Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed his military was conducting a “special military operation” to demilitarise the country and protect pro-Russian separatists. The invasion has been condemned by countries across the world.
– Additional reporting Keiller MacDuff
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