Ambassador now facing expulsion

WELLINGTON: The Government could be inching closer to expelling the Russian ambassador as the conflict between Ukraine and Russia escalates.

There has been global alarm at the Russian president Vladimir Putin’s comments about nuclear war and plans to hold referendums in occupied regions of Ukraine on joining Russia.

Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta said there had been an ‘‘increased escalation of tension.’’

‘‘It is not helpful on a number of fronts.

‘‘Right now, as our prime minister is over at the UN, I am sure there will be a lot of conversations about next steps.’’

Putin’s comments had changed the Government’s position on whether to expel Russian Ambassador Georgii Zuev, Ms Mahuta said.

The Government had maintained the option to expel Mr Zuev remained on the table since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

New Zealand had kept diplomatic channels open ‘‘in the hope that there is room for diplomacy’’, Ms Mahuta said.

A decision on whether to expel Mr Zuev was now under active consideration and could ‘‘possibly’’ be made quickly, she said.

‘‘The position of New Zealand is to keep open diplomatic channels in order to deescalate the situation, but again, we assess our position in relation to the actions of Putin,’’ Ms Mahuta said.

‘‘And right now, hosting a referendum that will impact on the sovereignty of Ukraine appears to be an escalation rather than a deescalation of the situation.’’

Previously, RNZ sent repeated requests to the ambassador for an interview, but his office only referred to a letter to Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee chairwoman Jenny Salesa.

In the letter, he declined an invitation to brief the select committee, as Parliament debated whether he should be summonsed for questioning, saying it would be ‘‘obviously futile’’.

Ms Mahuta said the war had entered a more ‘‘dynamic space’’.

‘‘It appears that Putin is increasing his aggression against Ukraine and taking actions that contravene international law.

‘‘By continuing to do that, that will be of concern to a number of likeminded partners who are helping Ukraine to defend itself,’’ she said. — RNZ