Tom Lee/Stuff
Kiwis have been thanked for supporting the defence of Ukraine, including helping to train troops. (File photo)
New Zealanders have been thanked for supporting Ukraine against invasion by Russia with a heart-warming video on social media.
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine posted the video with the words: “Together, towards victory. Thank you, New Zealand!”
The video features Kiwi icons including Crowded House, Sir Edmund Hillary, Bruce McLaren and Flight of the Concords.
It was shared on the ministry’s official page on X, formerly known as Twitter, at about 10.30am on Tuesday and has been viewed more than 80,000 times.
The video explains how New Zealand has been a key partner in training Ukrainian troops, and helped ferry military and humanitarian aid to where it is needed.
The video also acknowledges how Kiwis have donated millions of dollars in support to Ukraine.
“New Zealanders know that great things happen when countries work together,” the video says.
In response, the NZ Defence Force said it was committed to supporting “the international response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine”, a spokesperson said.
Kiwis have trained more than 1000 recruits from the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the UK.
In May, the Government pledged a further $5.3 million in support of Ukraine and extended a deployment of soldiers training Ukrainian troops.
SUPPLIED
Kiwi Owen Pomana is helping with the humanitarian effort in Ukraine by raising money to evacuate civilians and provide food. (Video first published April 4, 2022.)
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins previously said New Zealand would never turn its back on people defending the values and principals that Kiwis hold dear, including democracy itself.
Comments on the post from Kiwis acknowledge Ukraine and the pain of the war.
“Kia kaha Ukraine,” say several commentators, while others say: “Wish we could do more“.
