HISTORY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF RELATIONS OF UKRAINE WITH NEW ZEALAND

The aim of the article is to consider the history of the development of relations between Ukraine and New Zealand through the prism of geopolitical changes and transformation of the roles of states in the international arena.Results. The political and diplomatic history of relations between Ukraine and New Zealand began on December 26, 1991, when New Zealand recognized Ukraine as a sovereign independent state. Diplomatic relations between the two states were officially established on March 3, 1992. Considering the geographical remoteness, the development of political and diplomatic relations during the 1990s – 2000s. has not gained major importance for both countries. However, the situation has changed significantly since 2014, with the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war. First, Ukraine became one of the countries where events took place that had significance and consequences for the whole world including New Zealand. Secondly, New Zealand, thanks to its economic reforms, has significantly strengthened its position both in the Asia-Pacific region and in the world as a whole. Thirdly, the intensification of steps towards Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration and the strengthening of Ukraine’s presence in international organizations also contributed to the revival of Ukrainian-New Zealand relations. Originality. Currently, the topic of the history of Ukrainian-New Zealand relations is poorly studied and requires further analysis. Given the role of New Zealand in Asia-Pacific cooperation and the strengthening of the Global South in geopolitical processes, deepening mutually beneficial cooperation with this country is important for Ukraine both from a tactical and strategic point of view. Therefore, it is necessary to focus more substantive scientific efforts on identifying, analyzing and systematizing information about New Zealand as a friendly state to Ukraine, which has unequivocally expressed its political, diplomatic, financial, material, military, humanitarian, and logistical support since 2014 and strengthened it after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.Practical value. The results of the article can be used by scientists to deepen the analysis of Ukraine’s international cooperation, in particular, with the countries of the Global South. They can also be used by government agencies in the development and planning of diplomatic and political cooperation of Ukraine, the formation of strategies for economic cooperation.