The Ukrainian ambassador to New Zealand and Australia expressed his embattled country’s thanks but called for greater support from New Zealand, during a visit to Dunedin, yesterday.
It appears the ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko will get a favourable hearing when he meets New Zealand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters in Wellington tomorrow.
Speaking to the Otago Daily Times yesterday, Mr Myroshnychenko said the outcome of the conflict would define the future security not only of Europe, but also of the Indo-Pacific.
He said it was in everyone’s interest to ensure Russia did not win, because it would prove "might is right".
"There's so much at stake because ... [this] will define what Russia will do, what other dictatorships will do, what North Korea is going to do in the Korean Peninsula, what Iran is going to do in the Middle East," Mr Myroshnychenko said.
His message to the New Zealand government was "we’re in this boat together".
Ukraine was grateful for the $130 million of assistance to date, but needed more.
"It's a global war. It's a war on liberal democracies and New Zealand as a vibrant democracy has so much at stake.
"We’re ... asking for more assistance just because this war is so expensive."
It is a message that might be well received.
A spokesperson for Mr Peters said New Zealand stood with Ukraine and the minister looked forward to meeting the ambassador.
"New Zealand stands ... unstinting in its support against the illegal actions of Russia in the ongoing conflict," the spokesperson told the ODT.
"The government will continue to work with Ukraine on how best New Zealand can provide effective assistance in addition to the measures already in place."
University of Otago international relations specialist Prof Robert Patman endorsed the ambassador’s call for greater help from New Zealand.
Help that brought New Zealand’s total contribution to about $250m would be comparable to the aid already given by Australia, the academic said.
"We have a lot at stake here," Prof Patman said. "New Zealand has done quite a bit but needs to do more because we depend on the rule of law."
