New Zealanders have not had to dig trenches because of the war in Ukraine, which started four years ago this week. However, as this senseless, needless conflict has worn on in Ukraine New Zealanders have come to know those people well. Photo: Getty ImagesThe Ukraine war has spanned two different New Zealand governments. Russia will keep fighting because its leader wants to; Ukraine will keep fighting because it has no choice. The rest of the world can only keep watching, keep shaking its head in despair, but not forget the people of the Ukraine whom we have now come to know.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 27, 2026 03:35 UTC