5. Question No. 5—Foreign AffairsIBRAHIM OMER (Labour) to the Minister of Foreign AffairsQuestion No. 5—Foreign Affairs5. IBRAHIM OMER (Labour) to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: What recent announcements has the Government made about support for Ukraine in response to Russia's illegal invasion?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA (Minister of Foreign Affairs): The Government recently announced the extension of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) support for Ukraine including intelligence and logistic support and training for Ukrainian military personnel in the United Kingdom. This extension will see a team of 66 NZDF personnel deployed to the UK through to July next year to provide infantry training to Ukrainian forces. It will also build on the great work accomplished by the UK-led programme which has seen nearly 10000 Ukrainian personnel benefit from training to date. In his recent visit to the UK and Kyiv the Minister of Defence heard firsthand from Ukrainian troops and Government the difference this training has made to the preparation of Ukraine's armed forces in addition to the package of military diplomatic legal and humanitarian assistance provided by Aotearoa New Zealand.Ibrahim Omer: What is New Zealand doing to support Ukraine through the upcoming northern winter?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: New Zealand has pledged a further $1.85 million to the NATO Trust Fund for Ukraine. This will provide non-lethal military support like winter clothing food rations mobile generators first-aid kits and other vital supplies over the coming northern winter. This adds to the $8.7 million New Zealand has provided to date to purchase basic equipment medical supplies fuel and food rations for Ukraine through the NATO Trust Fund. In response to appeals we've also provided $7.9 million in humanitarian aid to support Ukrainian civilians this year. We will continue to monitor the humanitarian needs over winter and any appeals for aid to support Ukraine.Ibrahim Omer: What is New Zealand doing to put further pressure on Russia to end its illegal war?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: Yesterday I announced further sanctions on members of the inner circles of Governments in Russia and Belarus as part of the ongoing international response to the war in Ukraine. These recent sanctions targeted 22 members of the elite who lend support to the illegal invasion of Ukraine; Russia relies on the ongoing support of those in positions of power and influence as it continues its illegal and unjustified invasion of Ukraine. Also sanctioned yesterday were four entities of economic or strategic relevance to Russia in the oil and gas steel and transport sectors as well as radar and electronic equipment systems.Ibrahim Omer: What impacts are sanctions having on Russia?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: This is the 16th tranche of sanctions against Russia adding to existing sanctions on 1200 individuals and entities covering political leaders oligarchs banks gold importers defence industry cyber-hackers and Belarus. These sanctions are having an impact since the introduction of our trade measures in April—for example imports from Russia have dropped by 75 percent. New Zealand is playing its role in the global effort to debilitate Russia's ability to wage its unjust war against Ukraine. Russia's economy is expected to contract by at least 3 percent this year and export controls have severed Russia's access to key technologies like semiconductors that will erode its military capability.