John Key posted this photo to his Twitter account, saying 'It was good to catch up with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bali today.'
Prime Minister John Key raised the issue of the New Zealand Arctic protestors with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Apec in Bali, Indonesia, but it was not by way of protesting their treatment.
Mr Key said he asked him if he was aware that two New Zealanders had been
arrested by Russia in their response to a Greenpeace protest on an oil platform in the Arctic Sea.
"What was quite clear was that he was absolutely aware of it, he was aware that there were New Zealanders, he was aware that the [Foreign Minister] had raised it, and he gave me an assurance it would flow through the appropriate Russian judicial system."
Mr Key said he did not know what the protestors would be ultimately charged with "but all I can say is he gave me an assurance it would be a proper process."
Charges of piracy have been laid against the 30 Greenpeace activists including two New Zealanders, Jonathan Beuachamp and David Haussman, and could face 15 years jail terms if convicted.
