Michael M Shreenan

Today marks four years since Russia invaded Ukraine, a violation of international law that remains as immoral and repugnant now as it did then. We pause to reflect on all that the Ukrainian people have endured. We think of every life so cruelly and pointlessly stolen. We think of every life damaged forever. Yet we are also awed by the courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people and their refusal to buckle to the tyrant in the Kremlin. We stand with Ukraine. Our support includes a commitment of over $1.7 billion in total assistance, including $1.5 billion in military support to help Ukraine defend itself. We remain committed to ensuring that Russia and its enablers face consequences. Today, our Government has imposed additional targeted sanctions on 180 individuals, entities and shadow fleet vessels with links to Russia, bringing the total number of Australian sanctions to more than 1800. We continue to coordinate closely with Ukraine and international partners through the Coalition of the Willing, and we continue to push for a just and lasting peace. A peace that upholds Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, supports Europe’s security and stability, and delivers us a world liberated from Russia’s aggression. Slava Ukraini!