Ukraine isn’t a charity case — it’s the world’s top military school

Published October 1, 2026 10:00am ET



When Russia launched its full-scale invasion, New Zealand quickly sent military personnel halfway across the globe to help prepare Ukrainian recruits for the front lines. For the past few years, this dynamic has remained static. Western countries provide the basic training, and Ukraine provides the manpower.

Now, a prominent voice from New Zealand is arguing that this one-way street needs to end. Former Defense Minister Ron Mark recently stated that it is time to flip the script. He believes New Zealand should bring Ukrainian military advisers south to teach modern combat tactics, specifically drone warfare and asymmetric naval operations.

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