Jacinda Ardern says UK nerve agent attack has 'changed everything' around free trade deal with Russia

March 18, 2018

Negotiations over a free trade deal between NZ and Russia have been suspended since 2014, and the Salisbury chemical attack will keep it that way, says the PM.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the chemical attack on the ex-Russian spy in the UK has 'changed everything' in terms of a potential Free Trade Deal with Russia.

Corin Dann of TVNZ1's Q+A talked to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, about whether or not New Zealand holds Russia responsible for the nerve agent attack in the UK. 

Ms Ardern says there is nowhere else the chemical agent used in the Salisbury attack earlier this month could have come from besides Russia.

Whereas earlier this week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters condemned the chemical attack as "totally repugnant" but stopped short of pointing the finger at Russia.

Mr Peters said the chemical attack has "somewhat complicated" potential free-trade talks with Russia, but that New Zealand shouldn't have to choose between Russia and Europe.

Mr Peters on Friday told RNZ he didn't believe it was an either-or situation.

But the Prime Minister signalled efforts to re-start a free trade deal with Russia will be put on hold.

"Salisbury has changed things. We are in an unprecedented position now. That has to have an effect, and it has," she said.

Q+A host Corin Dann seeks clarity on the government's stance on Russia in the wake of the nerve agent attack in the UK.

"We had not resumed FTA talks with Russia and now what I'm telling you is in this environment, I cannot tell you if or when that will occur."

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