New Zealand hopes Ukraine will not accept deals to end the Russian invasion, Professor Robert Patman has told Global Insight.
Responding to suggestions that Ukraine should accept a land-for-peace deal to end the five-month war, the foreign affairs specialist at the University of Otago said Ukraine is forcing Russia to withdraw. would best serve the interests of New Zealand, which relies on states adhering to the international rules-based order.
“From New Zealand’s point of view, we would … prefer that support for Ukraine continues to the point where the cost of war became prohibitive for the Putin regime and it was forced to withdraw troops from Ukraine,” said Prof. patman.
Prof Patman also spoke about Russia’s use of energy and food as a weapon of war; the potential for division in Europe over gas supplies from Russia; whether Ukraine could be forced to accept a land-for-peace deal; and the likelihood of China being emboldened by a Russian victory.