Ukraine Deputy Minister of Defence Oleksandr Polishchuk (left) and Minister of Defence Peeni Henare at the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine in Kyiv. Photo: Supplied by office of Peeni Henare
New Zealand's Minister of Defence Peeni Henare has been on the ground in Ukraine and Poland, holding talks with officials.
Henare paid his respects in Kyiv to those who have died in the war and held talks with his ministerial counterparts.
He said his talks with ministers in Ukraine and Poland reaffirmed New Zealand's unwavering support for Ukraine, against Russia's illegal and unprovoked invasion.
"To be here to see for myself and hear first-hand the sacrifice of Ukrainian citizens when fighting for their territorial integrity is humbling. It also highlights why the New Zealand Government continues to show its support," Henare said in a statement.
The minister paid his respects at the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine while in Kyiv, and held bilateral talks with the Ukrainian defence minister Oleksii Reznikov.
Ukrainian Minister of Defence Oleksii Reznikov (left) with New Zealand's Defence Minister Peeni Henare in Kyiv. Photo: Supplied by office of Peeni Henare
New Zealand's recent extension to training support in the UK for Ukrainian troops - out to July - was also discussed.
Henare said his Ukrainian counterpart expressed gratitude for the extension and said it was making a difference on the ground.
"We agreed to continue to have open conversations into the future around what more we can do to help Ukrainian resilience and the rebuild effort," he said.
Henare reiterated that New Zealand would not be entering Ukraine to fight but remained committed to contributing skills and expertise to the defensive effort.
"Principles matter, and while Aotearoa might be on the other side of the world and far removed from the fighting, we are committed to upholding the rules of international law and the United Nations Charter and do what we can to support - that is what this visit was about," Henare said.
Henare will now head to Cambodia to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus in Siem Reap.
It has been revealed today that UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has also been in Ukraine.
Rishi Sunak has pledged £50 million in defence aid to Ukraine as he met President Volodymyr Zelensky in his first visit to Kyiv since becoming prime minister.
Sunak said it was "deeply humbling" to be in Kyiv and that the UK would continue to stand by Ukraine.
The aid package is intended to counter Russian aerial attacks.
President Volodymyr Zelensky and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Kyiv. Photo: AFP / UKRAINIAN PRESIDENCY
-RNZ / BBC