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Aotearoa’s Ukrainian community wants Kiwis not to grow tired as the war nears its fourth year, with the Ukrainian ambassador saying support is an investment for worldwide security.

An estimated 600,000 Russian troops have been killed or injured since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and 370,000 have been wounded.

Auckland resident Katia Samokisha told the Herald that community members would volunteer and help Ukraine until the war is over.

“If it will take 10 years or more, we will continue to do what we do. We have to contribute our time if we cannot contribute our lives,” she said.

Mahi for Ukraine spokesperson Kate Turska says they continue to do everything they can - through fundraisers, advocacy, and direct aid - to help Ukraine.

Mahi for Ukraine spokesperson Kate Turska said three years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, the Ukrainian community in NZ remains deeply grateful for the support they have received

“(We) continue to do everything we can - through fundraisers, advocacy, and direct aid - to help Ukraine,” she said.

“We have formally requested that the NZ Government extend sanctions against Russia and issue a public statement marking this anniversary.

“Clear and decisive action matters, and we hope NZ will reaffirm its commitment to standing with Ukraine.”

Ukrainian ambassador to Australia and NZ Vasyl Myroshnychenko said NZ’s support of Ukraine was an investment rather than a cost.

Myroshnychenko pitched the idea during his recent meeting with Foreign Minister Winston Peters.

“I wanted to thank them for their support and explain that support for Ukraine is not a charity but an investment into the security of NZ,” he said.

“The issue of sovereignty is important to NZ and for countries around NZ. The protection countries have in the UN Charter went down the drain with the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“If there is one country who can use weapons and force to take over one country, then others will say if Russia can do it, why can’t we do it.”

Myroshnychenko said Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visiting Ukraine would be a strong sign of solidarity.

Peters posted on X, formally known as Twitter, that the Minister welcomed Ukrainian Ambassador, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, back to Wellington.

“They discussed the situation on the ground in Ukraine and NZ’s ongoing support in the lead-up to the third anniversary of Russia’s illegal invasion.”

Since the February 2022 invasion, New Zealand has imposed sanctions on more than 1700 individuals and entities and donated more than $100 million in aid to Ukraine.

Last November, Peters announced new chemical weapons and missile sanctions against Russia.

“These new sanctions respond to recent findings by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons that illegal riot control agents are being used on the frontlines in Ukraine,” Peters said in a statement.

In February last year, the government sent $25.9 million in aid to Ukraine, including $6.5m to purchase weapons.

It also announced the extension to the deployment of up to 97 NZDF personnel to Europe to train Ukrainian soldiers and provide logistical support.

- NZ Herald