Ian Hill
Biography
Publications
Ian Hill is a retired senior career diplomat in the New Zealand foreign ministry. In the course of his 42 years in the diplomatic service, Mr Hill served three times in Moscow, twice as Ambassador (2009–12 and 2016–20). He also served as Deputy Head of Mission for five years in Washington DC, and held other senior foreign service roles in London and the Pacific. Mr Hill served in several senior foreign ministry positions in Wellington, including as Director for European Affairs, and was also the Prime Minister’s foreign affairs adviser from 1993–95. He is currently Adjunct Professor in the Centre for Defence and Security Studies at Massey University.
Russia-North Korea: Closer, but not too close
Gushing portrayals of a revived relationship should be treated with caution.
Russia seeks benefit from the Gaza conflict
Moscow hopes the Middle East will distract the West from supporting Ukraine – but old troubles at home could stir again.
Exploring an end game in Ukraine? Not yet
Moves towards negotiations are risky and could be interpreted by Putin as a sign of weakening Western resolve.
Prigozhin’s mutiny: What does it mean for Putin – and Russia?
A bizarre and audacious rebellion by the Kremlin’s own hired mercenaries has irrevocably weakened the regime.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: Why and why now?
Putin’s desire to bring Ukraine back into the fold is mired in imperial nostalgia and bitter resentment.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is spurring a transition of global order
We’re only beginning to grasp the far-reaching ramifications from escalating tensions and economic disruptions caused by Moscow’s belligerence.
Russia foreign policy: the search for new friends
Shunned by the West, Moscow is wooing the rest of the world. And so far it’s finding success.
Why does Putin persist?
For all his mistakes, the Russian leader knows the objectives of Ukraine and its Western backers don’t exactly coincide.
Russia, Ukraine and the wars of the Soviet succession
Putin’s war is part of the untidy and slow-motion disintegration of the Soviet Union.
