Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky received a standing ovation after he addressed New Zealand's Parliament this morning.
In his speech, the president praised New Zealand's early and continued support for Ukraine, while also calling for action on the environmental effects of war, as well as his steps for peace.
"I am grateful to you, dear friends, for the fact that New Zealand was one of the first countries to support Ukraine in its struggle for independence and justice," Zelensky said.
"Facing the unique moral challenge of this war, you've changed your own approach to the sanctions policy and imposed national sanctions against those involved in fermenting the aggression."
He also pleaded for support from New Zealand when the war ends and called for international cooperation on reconstruction efforts.
"The economy and infrastructure can be reconstructed, it may take years, but you can't rebuild destroyed nature just as you can't restore the destroyed life," he said.
Zelensky said that 174,000 square kilometres of Ukrainian territory is "contaminated" by unexploded ordnance like mines, as well as significant parts of the Sea of Azov.
Pollution in rivers, flooding of coal mines and 3 million hectares of forests have been destroyed during the war, Zelensky said - he asked for New Zealand's support in helping to restore the environment.
"All these and other manifestations of Russian ecocidal policy will have direct negative impacts on millions of people," he said.
"I suggest that your country and your leaders consider taking into account this environmental aspect of our formula for peace - I urge you to demonstrate leadership in international institutions in the UN and bilaterally with other states."
He pleaded that when the war ends, New Zealand should help with reconstruction efforts.
Zelensky called on New Zealand to back his "steps towards world peace", which cover nuclear and energy security, holding war criminals to account, the releasing of Russia's prisoners of war and return of deportees, full implementation of the UN charter and restoration of Ukraine's borders prior to their 2014 invasion of Crimea.
He also took some time to praise the international community for its cooperation, saying: "The very course of events has created opportunities for countries and leaders to prove themselves, to find their role in the protection of what we cherish."
Zelensky closed by saying: "Ngā mihi, glory to Ukraine."
His address comes as the war in Ukraine recently entered a new phase, with cold and dark winter months gripping the entire country.
Russia has been deliberately targeting power infrastructure in an attempt to break Ukrainian morale by freezing them into submission.
Just this morning, the Government announced it would be pledging a further $3 million towards support for the people of Ukraine.
PM praises Ukrainian resolve
In a speech following Zelensky's address, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern praised the Ukrainian people's resolve through the conflict and highlighted Zelenky's strong leadership.
"Yours is a country at war, and you are at the helm leading your people through a crisis," she said.
Ardern pledged her continued support for Zelensky and thanked him for taking the time to address Parliament.
"Sharing time with us, under those circumstances, is a sacrifice and one we do not take lightly - I hope that in response to the address that you have given today that you hear loudly and clearly that yours is not a forgotten war," she said.
Ardern highlighted New Zealand's contributions to support Ukraine and said that support would continue as long as the war is happening.
"We are with you as you seek peace, but we will also be with you as you rebuild," Ardern said.
In a similar fashion to her Ukrainian counterpart, she closed by saying, "slava Ukraini" (Glory to Ukraine).
Luxon compares Zelensky to Churchill
In his address to Zelensky, National leader Christopher Luxon compared Ukraine's president to Winston Churchill.
"I think he is our generation's Winston Churchill...the way that he has rallied the Ukrainian people and the Western world, in particular, has been profound," he told Breakfast this morning before Zelensky's address.
"If there's any more asks from us and any other way that we can help, we're very happy to join with the Government and make sure that we can deliver more humanitarian support and more military assistance if need be."
When later addressing the House, Luxon pledged his continued support to Ukraine, saying its stand against Russia is a vital one.
"We cannot stand back; we must stand up," Luxon said.
He condemned Russia's leader and said that when the "history of this war is written, the greatest condemnation will be for Vladimir Putin.
"The greatest admiration will be for you president Zelensky and your courageous leadership - the greatest gratitude will be for the people of Ukraine."
Other parties speak
Green party co-leader James Shaw told Zelensky that while his party supports non-violent resolutions to conflict, he acknowledged that Ukraine had no choice but to defend itself and praised its efforts to minimise harm to civilians.
"It is quite apparent that were President Putin to be successful, the temporary violence of war would morph into the violence of subjection, perhaps even genocide," he said.
"If we can assist in mediation and help other states with de-escalation, we support that."
Shaw also thanked Zelensky for talking about how the war has affected Ukraine's environment and said New Zealand would provide support on this.
ACT leader David Seymor highlighted his party's fundraisers to help support the defenders of Ukraine and said these will continue until the war's end.
He also called for more action to be taken by the Government in the support of Ukraine.
"As opposition, we've asked the Government to do more - more sanctions, more refugee places, more lethal aid, and we'll keep pushing," he said.
Te Pati Māori co-leader leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer touched on Shaw's points and said the war should have never started in the first place.
"Our role in this generation is and must be to fight for unity, and as we did in Parihaka, we will [Te Pati Māori] at all costs continue to fight to uphold peace and continue to make sure that there is no suffering. "
Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi then led the House in a waiata for which everyone stood.
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