Table of Contents
Summarised by Centrist
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has joined an online meeting of the so-called Coalition of the Willing on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, pledging New Zealand’s continued backing for Kyiv.
The coalition, co-chaired by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, includes more than 30 countries supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression.
In a social media post, Luxon praised “the brave people of Ukraine” and said New Zealand would remain “steadfast” until a “just and lasting peace” is secured. He pointed to ongoing New Zealand training for Ukraine’s armed forces and continued sanctions aimed at pressuring Russia’s economy.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters also announced an additional $8 million in support this week, bringing New Zealand’s total humanitarian assistance to $45 million since the war began. The new funding includes $5 million for humanitarian aid and $3 million to a World Bank trust fund supporting energy resilience and reconstruction.
New Zealand has also imposed its 34th round of sanctions on Russia, including lowering the price cap on Russian crude oil and targeting 100 so-called shadow fleet vessels used to bypass restrictions. Peters described the steps as aimed at cutting oil revenues “fuelling Putin’s illegal war of aggression”.
The coalition leaders urged Russia to engage in meaningful peace talks and agree to a full ceasefire. Recent US-mediated talks in Geneva ended without progress.
