A place for NZ in pushing for peace in Ukraine

It can never be said enough: Ukraine is very grateful for all the support that New Zealand has provided to defend against an illegal and brutal invasion. New Zealand’s support goes beyond dollar and cents. Indeed, it has a huge “multiplier effect” in my country. Namely, New Zealand aid and solidarity has both increased our morale and underlined the moral argument against a bloody war in which Ukrainian civilians die every day, including Orthodox Easter.

Ukrainians take great heart from the fact that New Zealanders – some 15,000 kilometres away – have stood with them in their time of need.

From trooper to train conductor, my countrymen constantly ask me to express their appreciation – and even awe – to Kiwis for your earnest efforts on their behalf.

I recently had the pleasure to accompany the Ukrainian parliamentary delegation to New Zealand. We were overwhelmed with the level of support and sympathy we received during our meetings in Wellington.

When more than 10,000 aerial attacks have been launched against one’s home in 2024 alone, there is comfort and courage in knowing the world has not forgotten us.

And, it’s also the case that Ukrainians very much know that New Zealand’s participation in the global pro-Ukraine alliance – together with our friends in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and elsewhere - greatly contributes to the scope, resolve and effectiveness of the international community’s stance against the malicious actor that Russia has become.

It’s in this context that we ask New Zealand to continue to stand with Ukraine.

With its leadership among other small countries, its tradition of impartiality and fairness, and its willingness to always participate, New Zealand brings credit and impact to the table that exceeds its size.

It’s precisely at a new table where we now need New Zealand and its positive contributions – the negotiating table where Ukraine’s future peace can be secured and the hope of a peaceful and prosperous global order can be returned to.

To be clear, Ukraine will continue to defend itself against Russian aggression along a 1200km front with all available resources.

We fight on because Ukrainians in Russian-held territory are subject not only to occupation but active oppression of their rights.

We have, however, always been prepared for negotiations that end the war that Russia has inflicted on us as proxies for all democracies. No other country wants peace more than Ukraine.

During a joint press conference with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the President of Switzerland, Viola Amherd, in January, it was announced that agreement was reached on the organisation of a global peace summit at the level of leaders of the state and government, in Switzerland in June.

This peace summit will build on discussions that have now taken place over the past months between national security advisers in Copenhagen, Jeddah, Malta and Davos. The latter meeting had the participation of 82 delegations, and more than 150 countries have been invited to the summit.

The aim of the peace summit is to give a high-level political start to an agreed peace plan that ends the war and restores a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

The peace summit will be an opportunity for global leaders to show unity around key principles: the sanctity of peace, respect for existing borders, and the force of law prevailing over the law of force.

It is also hoped to agree to key elements:

■ the withdrawal of Russian troops;

■ the inadmissibility of the use of nuclear weapons, and ensuring the safety of nuclear facilities;

■ free navigation in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov as part of global food security, and;

■ the exchange of prisoners and returning to Ukraine of illegally detained, deported and displaced persons, including up to 20,000 children.

The agreed peace plan will be presented to the Russian Federation, as the aggressor must negotiate on the world’s terms and not the other way around.

We ask New Zealand to be at the peace summit.

Yes, it is a crucial milestone with regard to the war on my country. But it is more than that. It is the historic moment when leaders will come together in a united global strategy for a just future, rather than a future forged by the fist of a dictator.

The peace summit is when those who support a rules-based order stand together against a rogue-based order.

New Zealand has always been there in these key moments.

In fact, it has been more than “there”, including its role in the founding of the United Nations in 1945, its advocacy for small countries in the UN, and its longheld opposition to veto power – such as that illegitimately held by the Russian Federation – in the UN Security Council.

New Zealand has long been the kind of positive and productive citizen of the world that Ukraine aspires to be and Kiwis have always given a helping hand.

That helping hand – and clear and consistent voice in favour of our common values – will be most welcome and most appreciated in Switzerland on June 15-16.

Vasyl Myroshnychenko is the ambassador of Ukraine to New Zealand.