Russia-Ukraine war: NZ government actively considering expulsion of Russian ambassador

Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta. Photo / Mark Mitchell

By RNZ

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's comments about nuclear war and plan 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."

Russian Ambassador Georgii Zuev. Photo / NZ Govt

Vladimir Putin's comments had changed the Government's position on whether or not to expel Russian Ambassador Georgii Zuev, Mahuta said.

The Government had maintained the option to expel 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", Mahuta said.

But a decision on whether or not to expel 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 de-escalate the situation. But again, we assess our position in relation to the actions of Putin," Mahuta said.

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

Meanwhile, National's Foreign Affairs spokesperson Gerry Brownlee says the Government should expel the Russian Ambassador immediately.

"I have been calling for the expulsion of the Russian Ambassador since February this year, and I am reiterating that call today as President Putin threatens nuclear retaliation," Brownlee said.

"The Russian Ambassador should have been expelled long before now. His continued presence in New Zealand is completely untenable with the ongoing atrocities and escalation of Russia's war on Ukraine.

"New Zealand has always been proud of its nuclear-free stance. The Government needs to respond to the threat of nuclear retaliation by finally expelling the Russian Ambassador."

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

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 like-minded partners who are helping Ukraine to defend itself."