New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern REUTERS FILE PHOTO
WELLINGTON — New Zealand said on Monday
it will deploy a C-130 Hercules and 58 personnel to Europe to
further support Ukraine against Russia’s invasion.
The team would travel throughout Europe transporting
equipment and supplies to distribution centers, but would not
enter Ukraine, Defene Minister Peeni Henare said in a
statement.
The government also said it would donate an extra NZ$13.1
million ($9 million) towards military, legal and human rights
support.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said New Zealand’s support was
to help Ukraine repel the Russian invasion because peace in the
region of Europe was essential for global stability.
“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,”
Ardern said.
Russia calls its action in Ukraine a “special operation.”
($1 = 1.4641 New Zealand dollars)
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