I’m honoured to join you here today as we mark a solemn milestone: four years since Russia launched its full‑scale illegal invasion of Ukraine.
Four years of a sovereign, democratic nation being subjected to unprovoked aggression from its neighbour.
Four years of doctors and nurses working through sirens.
Four years of volunteers delivering life-saving supplies at enormous personal risk – too many paying the ultimate price.
Four years in which the Ukrainian people have endured unimaginable hardship and loss, and who now also face the harshest winter of the conflict.
Australia is steadfast in our support for Ukraine.
That’s why we have committed over $1.7 billion in total assistance, including $1.5 billion in military support to help Ukraine defend itself, making Australia Ukraine’s largest non-NATO contributor of military assistance.
Since the outset of the invasion, Australia has& made clear that Russia, and those enabling its illegal war of aggression, will face consequences.
Today we announced our single largest sanctions package since the invasion began.
These sanctions listings target the finance and banking, oil and gas, transportation, defence, aeronautical, science and technology sectors.
They are designed to reduce Russian revenues and further constrain its ability to continue its illegal and brutal invasion.
Australians expect businesses to prevent their supply chains from inadvertently funding Russia's illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine.
The Government has made our expectations clear and is taking further action to starve Russia’s war machine of oil revenue.
Russia continues to weaponise winter by intensifying its attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure – wiping out heating and power for millions of Ukrainian families in the extreme cold.
That’s why Australia was announced a further $10 million contribution to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund last month to ensure urgent repairs to the energy grid can take place, taking Australia’s total support to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund to $40 million.
But even in these conditions designed by Putin to break their spirit – the Ukrainian people have refused to bend.
The resilience shown by Ukrainians is extraordinary and should not be taken for granted.
In Ukrainian cities under bombardment, in communities under temporary occupation, and in towns where residents share the little they have with those who have lost more – courage has become part of daily life.
That same resilience is also found thousands of kilometres away – including here in Australia, right here in this cathedral.
Our own Ukrainian‑Australian community has shown immense strength in supporting loved ones back home, sustaining your cultural traditions, and continuing to advocate for peace.
Your tireless efforts remind us that solidarity does not dim with distance.
Australia has stood with Ukraine from the beginning of Russia’s invasion because we believe fundamental principles are at stake.
Every nation has a right to determine its own future.
Every people has a right to live in freedom.
And international rules matter – they keep all of us safe.
Today, we honour the sacrifices Ukrainians have made in defence of their country and in defence of those principles.
We remember those who have lost their lives and those who continue to risk everything.
And we acknowledge the immense suffering this war has inflicted on millions who want nothing more than peace.
We stand with Ukraine and we will continue to support Ukraine.
Slava Ukraini!