Ardern speaks with Zelenskyy after
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has spoken with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, after the two leaders gave speeches at the Nato Leaders’ Summit.
They both used their speeches to call for reform of the United Nations, where Russia holds veto power on the Security Council despite Ardern calling it a ‘‘morally bankrupt’’ state.
Throughout the Nato summit, Ukraine issued continued requests for weapons in its war with Russia, saying more Ukrainians will die if the West doesn’t deliver.
Zelenskyy joined the summit virtually to deliver a speech which questioned why Ukraine had not been able to join the Nato alliance and pushed for military aid.
He has also been inviting world leaders, businesspeople and celebrities to visit him in Kyiv, including extending an invitation to Ardern.
Ardern confirmed the invitation, but said it arrived too late for her to be able to schedule a visit to Ukraine into her Europe trip.
She arrived in Europe at the start of the week to join the Nato summit in Madrid, Spain, before heading to Brussels where Trade Minister Damien O’Connor has been in the midst of trade negotiations with the European Union (EU).
Ardern spoke to Zelenskyy from Brussels on Thursday morning (local time). She said she provided assurances to Zelenskyy that New Zealand would continue sanctioning those connected to the Russian government.
A spokesperson for the prime minister said Zelenskyy thanked New Zealand for its assistance so far, and Ardern expressed the country’s solidarity with and support of Ukraine.
In a statement, Zelenskyy thanked New Zealand for its support. He said they discussed strengthening New Zealand’s sanctions against Russia, and also discussed ‘‘ways of bringing the aggressor to justice’’.
Earlier, Ardern said New Zealand’s contribution, mainly via training of soldiers, logistical support and the donation of military first aid kits, had been