Russia launched two missiles at residential buildings in Kharkiv yesterday, causing numerous casualties. Among the victims was a three-year-old boy, pulled from the rubble by first responders. Ukraine urgently needs modern air defence systems to protect its people from Russia’s relentless onslaught

The arrival of Australian Abrams tanks at this critical moment carries significance beyond their sheer numbers. They entered combat as Ukraine launched counterattacks to prevent northern Pokrovsk from falling and to counter Russian narratives of inevitable victory.

2025 has been an exceptionally productive year for media coverage in AU and NZ. Many thanks to the journalists for keeping public attention focused on RU’s war in Ukraine, the most consequential war for the Indo-Pacific region. my final TV interview of the year with ABC here: youtu.be/U-wrDSLnC1o

On my recent trip to NZ, I was pleased to brief several members of the Parl Comm on FA, Defence, Trade. I shared insights on the ongoing peace negotiations, Russia’s strategic political and military objectives in Ukraine, and how Russia’s actions in Europe undermine security in the Asia-Pacific.

I joined Jaynie Seal on Skynews this morning to provide additional context on the negotiations in Florida. Ukraine is genuinely interested in peace. Russia is not. Russia is interested in a piece of Ukraine. Moscow must be forced to end this war. www.skynews.com.au/world-news/u...

I recently sat down with Prof. Rob Rabel for an in-depth discussion on Russia’s war against Ukraine, the ongoing peace talks, and how Russia—as a Pacific country—can undermine security in the Indo-Pacific by creating a dangerous precedent of being rewarded for aggression.

Вітаю усіх причетних із днем дипломата! 🇺🇦

The ADF has confirmed the delivery of the remaining 12 M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine. The first 37 tanks arrived in July, with a total of 49 approved for transfer by the Australian Government in October 2024. Australia is the largest contributor of this tank model. Thank you, Australia 🪖🇺🇦🇦🇺💪

I enjoyed meeting with DPM David Seymour. I expressed my gratitude to the New Zealand Government for the recent military aid package for Ukraine and shared an update on the ongoing talks, the situation on the frontlines, and Ukraine’s most pressing needs as the country faces a harsh winter.

It was wonderful to catch up with Hon Shane Jones MP, Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, Natural Resources, and Regional Development. We discussed secure global supply chains for energy and critical minerals, among other pressing global challenges.

It was a great pleasure meeting Chris Penk MP, Associate Defence Minister, in Wellington. I thanked the NZ Gov for its NZD 15 million contribution to PURL and shared updates on the ongoing talks and the situation on the frontlines.

I can’t edit post but it turns out that Boris and Sofia Gurman are also from Ukraine. May the rest in peace…

Sadly, it is emerging that several of the victims of the anti-Semitic terrorist attack on the Jewish community at Bondi Beach have connections - as migrants or as family members - to Ukraine.

I express Ukraine's sorrow about the aborrent terrorist attack on the Jewish and Bondi communities. This is violence aimed at ripping apart Australia and we stand in solidarity with the Aus people and authorities. Anti-semitism is an intl plague and cannot be aloud to succeed in its evil aims.

I am deeply saddened by the shooting at Bondi. On behalf of Ukraine, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the victims, their families, and all those affected. We stand in solidarity with the people of Australia and the Bondi community,

We recorded this interview with Saskia Mabin for ABC Radio Canberra some time ago, but I never shared it. I spoke about my recent visit to Kyiv, Ukrainian traditions, and the symbolism of our national emblem and flag. Tune in to listen On Foreign Soil: www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...

A shout-out to everyone in Wellington! Join us this coming Monday for a discussion kindly hosted by several highly esteemed New Zealand organisations.

Me and @albomp.bsky.social are on the same page…screen…we are just like this 🤞

As the President of Ukraine was meeting with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, I had the honour of welcoming the Head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, to the Embassy together with the permanent Synod, which included bishops from Philadelphia, Wrocław, Munich, Chernivtsi and Kyiv

There is a strong moral contract between Ukraine and Australia, grounded in our shared commitment to democracy, sovereignty, and regional security.

I was pleased to join ABC RN Breakfast this morning to thank Australian Government for the new package of assistance. Tune in to listen: 🔗https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-breakfast/ukrainian-ambassador-welcomes-australian-support-sanctions/106099328

New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins have announced a contribution of $15 million NZD (8.7 million USD) to the NATO–United States PURL initiative to supply Ukraine with weapons and equipment.

The Australian Gov has announced a AUD 95 million military assistance package for Ukraine. This includes 50 million contribution to PURL, 2 million for the Drone Coalition, and 43 million in military equipment, including tactical air-defence radars, munitions, and combat engineering assets.

Last week, I was pleased to join the John Curtin Research Centre for the presentation of its report “Winning the Peace. Australia and in Ukraine’s Recovery” at the Australian Parliament. Dr Dominic Meagher has undertaken an in-depth analysis of how AU can contribute to UA’s post-war reconstruction.

I enjoyed meeting with the Minister for Trade, Tourism and State, Senator the Hon Don Farrell, to discuss opportunities for Australian companies in Ukraine’s reconstruction and how our governments can support them in pursuing these prospects.

I recently sat down with NewsCorp journalist Hayden Johnson over breakfast at a café on the banks of the Brisbane River to share a personal story about Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

Overnight, Russia struck Ukraine with more than 600 drones and 36 missiles. Three people have been confirmed dead, and many more are injured. Numerous residential buildings and critical infrastructure sites have been damaged.

I joined ABC 7.30 to explain the ongoing peace negotiations. It does not look like Putin wants peace. He wants Ukraine. It’s great to have my friend and the best unofficial spokesperson of Ukraine Dr. Yuriy Sak join me on the show. Watch it here: 🔗 youtu.be/ay92xs2yyCU?...

I enjoyed catching up with Angus Taylor MP, Shadow Defence Minister, to discuss Ukraine–Australia military and defence industry cooperation. I also briefed him on the latest developments from the frontlines, Ukraine’s key priority requests, and ways we can further strengthen our bilateral relations.

I joined Kieran Gilbert on Skynews to discuss the latest developments, Ukraine’s red lines, and how Australia’s regional security is affected by Russian aggression in Europe. Watch it here: www.facebook.com/share/v/1DEo...

Following talks in Geneva, I joined Laura Jayes on Skynews AM Agenda on Monday morning to share the latest developments around the ongoing negotiations.

It was wonderful to meet with Allegra Spender MP, Independent . We discussed several key issues on the AU–UA bilateral agenda, with a particular focus on opportunities for Australia’s fin sector, tech industry, and infrastructure development companies to contribute to UA’s rebuild and reconstr.

I joined Chris Kenny on Skynews last night to talk about peace negotiations www.facebook.com/share/v/1A6C...

Yesterday I joined the Ukrainian community in Canberra to commemorate the victims of the Holodomor — Stalin’s man-made famine that claimed the lives of more than seven million Ukrainians in 1932–1933. Never again.

Update. 26 people are confirmed dead

Overnight, Russia launched 470 drones and 48 missiles at Ukraine. Ternopil, the city where I was born and where my brother, aunt, and cousins live, was hit particularly hard.

I was pleased to join the launch of the Australian production of the BluSDR-6, a combat-proven drone radio developed by DTC, which is part of Codan company at MiLCIS in Canberra.

Over the previous two decades Ukrainian civil society has in both the Orange Revolution and the Maidan Revolution of Dignity opposed large scale corruption that led to reforms. The current exposure of corruption is an outcome of those reforms and a testament to ongoing transparency.

It was wonderful to explore the Ukrainian art exhibition organised by Western Australia’s multi-generational Ukrainian community #art #culture #ukraine

I was delighted to meet the new Lord Mayor of Perth Bruce Reynolds. I assured him that the Ukr community in WA is keen to continue its close cooperation with local gov, and I asked for his support. We also discussed the possibility of establishing a city-to-city friendship with a UA municipality.

Securing a sustainable global supply chain for critical and rare-earth minerals is now a top priority for the alliance of democratic nations. The world is learning the hard way that allowing one country to dominate mineral processing creates a serious international security risk.

The Ukrainians awoke to yet another massive RU drone and missile attack: 480 drones and 18 cruise and ballistic missiles were launched. The strikes caused numerous casualties, including a pregnant woman and children. This brutality once again underscores the sheer inhumanity of RU’s actions.

It was a pleasure to meet Hon Chris Penk MP, Associate MoD of NZ, on the sidelines of the Indo-Pacific Intl Maritime Expo. We discussed Minister Collins’ recent visit to Kyiv and explored opportunities for cooperation in developing maritime autonomous systems. 🇺🇦🇳🇿

Ukrainian-Australians call for further action on Russian 'blood oil' entering the country www.sbs.com.au/news/article...

Нещодавно мав чудову розмову з Романом Колядою для програми «Амбасадори» на Українському радіо. Поговорили про все потроху — Австралію, Нову Зеландію, Вануату, Кірібаті, допомогу Україні, санкції й українську громаду. Послухати можна тут: ukr.radio/schedule/pla...

It was a pleasure to catch up with Hon Malcolm Turnbull, former Prime Minister of Australia at the Indo-Pacific international maritime exhibition.

It was an honour to meet Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the leader of the Belarusian democratic opposition, during her visit to Australia. Sviatlana remains relentless in her fight for freedom and democracy in Belarus. Жыве Беларусь!

I was delighted to meet the legendary Michael Gahler, MEP from Germany, who has served in the European Parliament for over 25 years and has been the Rapporteur on Ukraine since 2022.