Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says New Zealand does not recognise Russia’s “illegal attempts” to annex occupied areas of Ukraine.
In a statement on Saturday, Ardern said New Zealand condemns unequivocally Russia’s move, announced by President Vladimir Putin overnight.
“We do not recognise these illegal attempts to change Ukraine’s borders or territorial sovereignty,” Jacinda Ardern said.
“Russia’s sham referenda in Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia are illegitimate, and have no legal basis for acquisition of Ukraine’s territory by Russia,” Ardern said in a statement.
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“These are severe acts of aggression in clear violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a blatant breach of international law. We continue to stand in solidarity with Ukraine in defence of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“Aotearoa New Zealand stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and joins the international community in condemning Russia’s illegal annexations.”
ROBERT KITCHIN/Stuff
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Russia’s “continuing acts of aggression” were not acceptable, the PM said.
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said further sanctions were planned following the “fabricated claims of annexation”.
“I have instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to call in the Russian Embassy, to convey New Zealand’s strong opposition to the actions taken by Russia in recent days and to call on Russia to cease its attempts to illegally annex Ukrainian territory.
“As we have said from the start of Russia’s invasion, we call on Russia to abide by its international obligations, cease immediately its illegal invasion, withdraw its troops and return to diplomatic negotiations as the way to resolve the conflict,” Mahuta said.
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