Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to address NZ Parliament

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will speak directly to New Zealand’s Parliament next Wednesday.

An invite was sent to Zelenskyy in November, and the Herald understands it has now been confirmed that he will speak by video link at 8am next Wednesday.

It comes nearly 10 months after Russia invaded Ukraine, with thousands of lives lost and millions of people displaced, drawing global condemnation.

Zelenskyy has spoken virtually to parliaments in many countries – including Australia, Canada, the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Israel, Germany, Italy, and Japan. He has used the speeches to call for the support he needs in the invasion.

“New Zealand is unequivocal in its condemnation of Russia’s illegal and unprovoked attack on Ukraine, its people, and its sovereignty,” prime minister Jacinda Ardern said.

“This address is a valuable opportunity to reiterate our support for Ukraine directly to President Zelenskyy and hear from him what the international community can do to continue to support its people, and its sovereignty.

“Russia has chosen war, and continues to pursue a path that is claiming an unthinkable number of innocent lives. It’s also causing crippling economic pain on families and communities across the globe.

“We again call on Russia to do what is right and immediately cease military operations in Ukraine and end this war,” Ardern said.

Zelenskyy will become only the second head of a foreign government to address New Zealand’s Parliament, after former Australian prime minister Julia Gillard in 2011.

National MP Simon O’Connor in April lodged a motion calling for Parliament to invite Zelenskyy to speak to Parliament.

Leader of the House Chris Hipkins said at the time it would be “undiplomatic” to issue an invitation without first checking with Zelenskyy whether it would be welcome.