25 Feb 2022

Ukraine invasion: Acting Foreign Minister on NZ response

From Morning Report, 7:22 am on 25 February 2022

Russian forces have launched a full invasion of Ukraine - a massed assault by land, sea and air - the biggest attack by one state against another in Europe since World War II.

Cruise and ballistic missiles rained down in many parts of the country. Tanks have rolled across borders - in separatist regions to the east and from Belarus in the North - while more troops entered from the Black Sea to the south.

There was footage of fighter jets over various parts of the border, where fierce fighting took place. Russian forces were following the instructions of president Vladimir Putin who says his goal is the "demilitarisation and de-nazification" of Ukraine.

UN secretary general Antonio Guterres expressed said shock had reverberated at an emergency meeting.

NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said president Putin's actions were a brutal act of war, of the type most thought was part of history in Europe.

New Zealand is banning some Russian officials from coming here and stopping all exports to the military there in response to the Ukraine invasion.

The Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister issued a joint statement condemning Russia's actions.

They say there will be targeted travel bans against Government officials and others associated with the invasion and any bilateral foreign ministry engagements are suspended until further notice.

Jacinda Ardern is urging Russia to immediately withdraw from Ukraine to avoid a catastrophic and pointless loss of innocent life.

Acting Foreign Minister David Parker spoke to Susie Ferguson.