Shane’s Waitangi Day gathering at his home in Kerikeri is one of the most important informal political events of the year. He has been very kind to extend invitations to the accredited Ambassadors to New Zealand.

We also discussed prospects for defence industry cooperation, particularly in the area of uncrewed systems.

It is very tragically not the first time that Australia and Ukraine share a bond of trauma, and it will not be the first time that our two countries stand side by side for recovery, healing and triumph of good over evil.

The Government of Ukraine offers every assistance to Australian and NSW authorities, as well as affected families, including any consular support that is required.

We are aware that several of the victims with Ukrainian links maintained strong connections to Ukraine and their deaths by hateful violence are felt also in Ukraine.

On behalf of the Government of Ukraine, as well as expressing our condolences to all the victims and their families, we express our deep grief at the tragic loss of Alex, Tibor, Matilda and others.

and we commend the courage and professionalism of the first responders who acted swiftly to protect lives. Violence has no place in our societies, and in moments like this we remain united in compassion and resilience.

I will speak about the ongoing peace negotiations, the link between Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and New Zealand’s regional security, and how we can work together to ensure stability and security in Europe and the Indo-Pacific.

Register for the event here: events.humanitix.com/peace-in-ukr...

The visit was followed by a beautiful liturgy at St Volodymyr’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canberra. My sincere thanks to Cardinal Mykola Bychok, Bishop for Ukrainian Catholics in Australia and Oceania, for graciously hosting the Church’s leadership.

It was wonderful to reconnect with Archbishop Borys Gudziak, whom I first met in 2008 while serving on the voluntary fundraising committee for the Ukrainian Catholic University.

I joined ABC TV to express our gratitude for Australia’s 95 million AUD military assistance package and to discuss the latest developments in the peace negotiations.

Watch it here: youtube.com/watch?v=at-3...