Watch a recording of the event here

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has generated shockwaves around the world. It has sparked an outpouring of commentary, including on the implications for New Zealand. 

This event brings together an expert panel to discuss the effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict for New Zealand and the international system more broadly. It will address important questions such as:

• What is driving the Russia-Ukraine conflict?
• What are the global ramifications for the international system, including security, trade, international law, the UN and regional integration?
• What has New Zealand's response been to date, and what more can it do?

The event is hosted and moderated by Dr Serena Kelly, Senior Lecturer on Politics of the European Union, and deputy director of the National Centre for Research on Europe at the University of Canterbury. Dr Kelly is also a national Board Member of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs and President of the European Studies Association of Australia and New Zealand.

The panellists are:

 Professor Rouben Azizian

Professor Azizian joined the Massey University Centre for Security Studies in 2015, where he researches and teaches on Asia-Pacific regional security architecture, diplomacy, as well as Russian, US, Central Asian and Oceania security issues. Prior to this, he spent close to 14 years at the US Defense Department's Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu. He taught at the Department of Political Studies at the University of Auckland in 1994–2001.  From 1998–2001 he was the President of the Auckland Branch of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. Prior to becoming a full-time academic, he had an extensive career in the Soviet and later Russian Foreign Service, which included assignments in Nepal (1972-1978); Sri Lanka (1980-1985) and New Zealand (1991-1994) as Counsellor and Deputy Chief of Mission.  Professor Azizian has published several books as well as numerous book chapters, journal articles and working papers on Asia-Pacific security issues.

Dr Penelope Ridings MNZM

Dr Ridings is a distinguished international lawyer and barrister. Her long career at the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade included spells as the Chief International Legal Advisor; Ambassador to Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania; and High Commissioner to Samoa. In November 2021 Dr Ridings was elected as one of eight representatives from the 'Western European and other' group of countries for a five year-term on the International Law Commission, beginning January 2023. Additional experience includes legal advisor to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission. Dr Ridings has a PhD in Political Science from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and MJur (with distinction) and BA/LLB (Hons) from the University of Auckland. She was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2015.

Ian Hill

Ian Hill is a former career diplomat in the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In the course of his 42 years in the diplomatic service, he served three times in Moscow, twice as Ambassador (2009–12 and 2016–20). He also served as Deputy Head of Mission for five years in Washington DC, and held other senior foreign service roles in London and the Pacific. He served in several senior foreign ministry positions in Wellington, including as Director for European Affairs, and was the Prime Minister’s foreign affairs adviser from 1993–95. He is currently Adjunct Professor in the Centre for Defence and Security Studies at Massey University.