Judith Collins meets with Ukrainian Minister of Defence Denys Shmyhal.
Photo: Supplied
An international relations expert says the minister of defence’s visit to Ukraine underscores New Zealand’s solidarity and support for Ukrainian sovereignty at a critical moment.
It was revealed yesterday that Judith Collins and Chief of the Defence Force (NZDF) Tony Davies visited Kyiv, meeting with her Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, the Office of the President and Deputy Minister of Defense Oleksandr Kozenko.
Otago University Professor Dr Robert Patman said the covert nature of the trip was a sensible precaution given Russian drone and missile attacks and the recent assassination of a Ukrainian politician.
It was difficult to know if there were any concrete arrangements coming from the meetings, but Patman believed it was likely there would substantive outcomes.
He said it was possible the NZDF would take advice from Ukraine on drones as New Zealand raised its defence expenditure.
“Ukraine has become a world leader in drone technology … I’ve no evidence to support this, but its possible given the high level exchanges between our defence minister and the counterparts in Ukraine and Poland, discussions about how war has changed and the role of drones has come up which may have implications for our procurement policies in the future.”
He said the minister was likely to have been anxious to express solidarity with Ukraine, especially as it had become obvious talks between Russia and Ukraine “were not going anywhere”.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s government had accepted the need for a ceasefire for the past six months, something Putin had never accepted.
“Mr Trump said he was confident there would be a bilateral meeting between Putin and Zelensky, it now transpires the only place Putin will meet Zelensky is in Moscow – that’s almost like a formal surrender – having invaded a country, the victim of the invasion has to go to the capital of the country responsible for their misery, that’s not going to happen.”
Ukraine was “feeling like it needs more international support” and New Zealand had supported Ukraine from the beginning, Patman said.
“We’re a long way from the action, but we’re directly affected by what happens in Ukraine, because China is backing Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine. If they’re successful, that will have direct repercussions for New Zealand security in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly the Pacific Island nations where we’ve become quite concerned about Chinese assertiveness, as seen by Wellington.”
New Zealand also had a “huge stake” in supporting the international rules-based order, but should be wary of given the impression of having double standards.
“When we fail to match our principles with action … it does bring into question how committed we are to upholding system we purportedly support.
“I don’t know why New Zealand is procrastinating on recognising the Palestinian state, given Israel has flagrantly breached international law and announced its intention to take over Gaza and annex the West Bank – that’s illegal.”
Otago University Professor Dr Robert Patman.
Photo: Provided
Minister Collins described seeing the heartbreaking “impact of Russia’s illegal war – the disruption to everyday life, the human cost, the impact on children, the physical destruction”.
“My visit, accompanied by Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Tony Davies, was a tangible reminder of both New Zealand’s strong support for Ukraine and our strong support for the international rules-based order.
“New Zealand’s response was swift when Russia invaded in February 2022 – and our support for Ukraine remains steadfast. This was the key message I conveyed in Kyiv.”
Collins also visited Warsaw this week, where she met with Poland’s Deputy Foreign Minister Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski and laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
She was scheduled to meet with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
“My engagements in Warsaw underline Poland’s critical role as both the key logistical hub for support to Ukraine and the anchor of NATO’s eastern flank.”
Collins would now travel to the United Kingdom to undertake defence and security-focused meetings.
“These ties play a vital role in safeguarding the security of both our nations and allow us to contribute to collective efforts to uphold global security. I look forward to engaging with UK counterparts in the days ahead.”
Ukranian New Zealander, Palmerston North-based GP Dr Olga Dubnytska, said she was very grateful for the minister for the visit, which she saw as “very brave”.
She said the people of Ukraine needed as much support as they could get.
“Many of my friends and relatives live in Western Ukraine which is currently under a sustained attack. New Zealand is a very small country and any support is very much appreciated,” Dubnytska said.
The defence minister would return to New Zealand on 13 September.
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