The government says New Zealand is not among a group of
about 15 countries that have committed to join the coalition
of the willing on Ukraine.
A New Zealand attache was
among military officials from about 30 countries who have
been meeting in Paris.
France later said about 15
countries had expressed interest in discussing a new
security architecture, and Britain said it was accelerating
work on the coalition, Reuters reported.
Defence
Minister Judith Collins told RNZ in a statement on Thursday
that “New Zealand has not been asked to provide security
guarantees at this point”.
The talks in Europe were
scheduled to carry on, with a leaders’ summit on Saturday
and further meetings of officials next week.
“New
Zealand Defence is participating in discussions about
possible post-conflict support for Ukraine,” Collins
said.
Any decision would ultimately be up to
Cabinet.
“New Zealand continues to support Ukraine’s
efforts to defend itself from Russia’s illegal and
unjustified invasion.”
Finland said it would
definitely be part of any “coalition of the
willing”.
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