Ambassador denies invasion planned

not ‘‘threatening anyone’’, and he claimed the actions were a response to the United States and Nato security alliance’s own military manoeuvres and intention to create a ‘‘military foothold’’ in the Ukraine.

‘‘The prospect of Western military expansion in Ukraine poses an unacceptable risk because it could be used to deal a missile strike on Moscow with just a few minutes flight time,’’ Zuev said, in a written response to questions.

‘‘We have nowhere to retreat. We have been taken to the point where we simply must tell them: stop!’’

Zuev said Russia proposed to resolve its concerns at the ‘‘negotiation table’’ and Ukraine’s sovereignty was indisputable.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern this week indicated the Government may look to retaliate if ‘‘we see any activity that we believe is a breach of the Ukraine’s sovereignty’’.

She said the Government may look to measures involving ‘‘political engagement ... aid and development programmes, the ability to travel into New Zealand’’.

Zuev said New Zealand had ‘‘every right to build relations with other nations in a way it chooses and considers necessary’’.

‘‘The sanctions are not our methods of carrying out international relations, we resort to them only in a rare form of counter-measures.’’

Yesterday, the United States handed Russia a written response to a series of demands the country has made, including that Nato never accepts Ukraine as a member, and does not place weapons and troops in the country.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he would not make public the US response.