“It’s all because they are the aggressor in Ukraine,” he said.
Krans attended a Parliamentary function promoting China’s Hunan province. However, Brownlee said he was not on the guest list, likely using his ambassador status.
Parliament was unaware of his presence until the Herald began making inquiries after spotting a diplomatic car flying the Russian flag parked on the Parliamentary forecourt.
Brownlee said Parliamentary security did a great job securing the precinct but had been made aware the ambassador should not be invited in the future.
Krans sat down with the Herald on his arrival in New Zealand and said he wanted to reset relations between the two countries.
The Russian Embassy was approached for comment.