Ministry Statements & Speeches:
High Commissioner, Excellencies,
It is now more than one month since Russia began its unprovoked and unjustified attack on Ukraine.
During this time, the world has witnessed the appalling consequences of Russia’s aggression, including thousands of civilian casualties and millions more displaced.
Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine as they continue to suffer due to acts of aggression from Putin’s forces.
Aotearoa New Zealand is deeply concerned that Russia continues to ignore calls from the international community to cease all military operations in Ukraine and that the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate as a result.
It is alarming that a member of the human rights council and Security Council would take action that so seriously undermines human rights and international security.
For those nations who are proponents of peace, we must not let Russia’s use of pretext, disinformation and obfuscation interrupt what we know to be true: President Putin has chosen aggression and violence over de-escalation and diplomacy.
I finish today by repeating Aotearoa New Zealand’s call for President Putin to act consistently with international obligations, immediately cease Russia’s military operations in Ukraine, withdraw troops, and return to diplomatic negotiations as a pathway to resolution.