New Zealand’s Ambassador to the UK, Phil Goff, has been recalled after comparing President Donald Trump’s actions in trying to end the war in Ukraine to the appeasement of Nazi Germany. Goff made these remarks during a panel discussion in London, prompting the New Zealand government to deem his position as “untenable.” Foreign Minister Winston Peters stated that Goff’s comments impinged upon the country’s future and that as a diplomat, he should not be expressing personal opinions. Goff’s comparison of Trump to the Munich Agreement of 1938, allowing Nazi Germany to annex parts of Czechoslovakia, led to his dismissal.
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark criticized Goff’s ouster, calling it a “very thin excuse,” and stating that similar parallels were drawn at the Munich Security Conference. Despite this, Peters stood by his decision and emphasized the importance of representing New Zealand’s government and policies as a diplomat.
Goff, who served in various ministerial roles before becoming Ambassador to the UK in 2023, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in New Zealand confirmed that discussions were ongoing about his return home, but did not provide further details. Goff’s comparison of historical events to current political situations highlights the delicate balance diplomats must maintain in their roles representing their countries on the world stage.
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