Hide and Seek

New Zealand Wants to Expel Russian Spies But Can’t Find Any

It seems the country is not among Moscow’s top espionage targets.

New Zealand was notably absent Monday from the list of countries that expelled alleged Russian spies in punishment for the nerve-agent attack in Britain—but the country's prime minister has explained, saying they simply can’t find any there. New Zealand is part of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance with the U.K., the U.S., Australia, and Canada, so it would be fair to expect the country to join solidarity shown against Russia in the wake of the attempted murders on British soil. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told journalists that the country has looked for Russian intelligence officers to expel but came up with nothing. “While other countries have announced they are expelling undeclared Russian intelligence agents, officials have advised there are no individuals here in New Zealand who fit this profile. If there were, we would have already taken action,” said Ardern. More than 100 Russian diplomats alleged to be undeclared spies have been ordered to leave Western countries and return to Moscow.