The New Zealand government has expanded sanctions on key Russians, but cannot provide further military assistance as it has nothing Ukraine wants.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Defence Minister Peeni Henare said New Zealand stood ready to provide further lethal aid if Ukraine's needs matched its stockpiles.
Asked on Tuesday whether New Zealand had considered further military support, Mr Henare said the requests didn't match "on our current assessment and according to the requests in the donor meetings I've been on".
"On those donor calls, they've come asking and it's for HIMARS, land-to-air defence systems and also land-to-sea defence systems," he said.
To date, New Zealand equipment sent to Ukraine totals 1066 body armour plates, 473 helmets, 571 camouflage vests and harness webbing.
Wellington has agreed $NZ21.1 million ($A18.5 million) in military funding, $NZ8m ($A7m) of humanitarian support and $NZ2.3m ($A2m) towards legal and administrative support to the International Criminal Court and Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
It has also deployed a NZDF C-130 Hercules aircraft and up to 200 defence personnel on logistical and training missions.
Ms Ardern said New Zealand was keen to continue supporting Ukraine's resistance, but that came with practical and logistical constraints.
"If they were things we were to procure, they would take years but that hasn't stopped us providing military aid," she said
"We've done that partnering with others."
On Tuesday, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced 19 new "members of Putin's inner circle" would be subject to financial and travel sanctions levied as part of a co-ordinated global action.
"Ukraine has been clear that the most important action we can take to help them are our ongoing sanctions and supporting them through the conflict, as we continue to do," she said.
The sanctions apply to some 1000 people.
Ms Ardern had an audience with Ukraine Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in New York last week during leaders' week at the United Nations General Assembly.
"He commented on the fact that we had been there very early, very quickly and that we were being very practical in our support, including training Ukrainian volunteers," she said.
The government's support has been broadly backed by opposition parties in Wellington.
Opposition leader Chris Luxon said Labour should also expel the Russian Ambassador.
"Expelling the ambassador sends the right signal given we're well beyond diplomacy," he said.
"It seems untenable to have an ambassador here while those atrocities are being committed in the Ukraine."
Ms Ardern has declined to do so, saying it is "among the least meaningful actions" she could take.
Australian Associated Press
