New Zealand has sacked its High Commissioner to the UK, Phil Goff, after he compared President Trump's approach to ending the war in Ukraine to the 1938 Munich Agreement, which permitted Nazi Germany to expand. He questioned Trump’s grasp of historical context during a discussion at Chatham House, referencing Winston Churchill’s warning against appeasement. Former Prime Minister Helen Clark criticized the government's decision to recall Goff, suggesting it was an overreaction rooted in thin justifications. Foreign Minister Winston Peters acknowledged the necessity of the decision, emphasizing the need for discretion in diplomatic discourse.
Goff compared Trump's efforts to end the war in Ukraine with the 1938 Munich Agreement that allowed Nazi Germany to annex parts of Czechoslovakia.
Ambassador Goff's remarks questioned Trump's understanding of history, drawing stark parallels to the appeasement tactics leading to World War II.
Peters said he had made a necessary but seriously disappointing decision, emphasizing the importance of diplomatic comments.
Valtonen noted Churchill's timeless remarks but declined to directly answer Goff's questioning Trump’s understanding of history.
Collection
[
|
...
]