New Zealand authorities on Wednesday announced a new humanitarian aid package to Ukraine valued at two million euros to cope with the invasion by Russian troops.
The country’s Foreign Minister, Nanaia Mahuta, has indicated that Wellington will provide this aid through the International Committee of the Red Cross in order to cover the basic needs of Ukrainians.
«We continue to support the people of Ukraine as they face severe hardship during the winter,» Mahuta said, according to a statement from her ministerial portfolio.
«This will cover items such as medical supplies and equipment, power transformers and generators to cope with power outages, and winter essentials for vulnerable families in Ukraine, such as food, water and hygiene items,» the diplomat explained.
In this sense, she remarked that the blackouts «especially affect Ukrainians who depend on electricity for heating».
«Russia’s attacks on energy and other civilian infrastructure are deplorable. As Ukraine faces a harsh winter, Putin’s actions have further disrupted electricity supplies and are harming the health, safety and welfare of already vulnerable communities,» Mahuta criticized.
The minister assured that this aid, which comes «as the Russian military has intensified its deliberate attacks on national infrastructure, will support de-mining efforts.
On the other hand, she called on Russia to immediately cease attacks during the winter on elements of the Ukrainian infrastructure and to ensure «the safety of neutral and impartial humanitarian organizations» and facilitate their access to communities in need of urgent assistance.
Mahuta also met Wednesday with Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia and New Zealand, Vasil Miroshnichenko, after Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski gave a speech to Parliament.
In addition, this Monday the New Zealand Foreign Ministry imposed sanctions against 23 individuals for allegedly supporting the Russian invasion of Ukraine as part of a series of measures taken in retaliation for the actions of the Russian military.
These measures target «individuals and disinformation networks in the wake of (Russian President) Vladimir Putin’s aggressive acts,» Mahuta said.
«Putin continues to use a network of media agencies and influential commentators as part of a propaganda machine to spread false information and lies as part of a concrete narrative about the invasion of Ukraine,» the minister lamented in a statement.
