Twyford PhilHon PHIL TWYFORD (Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control) (remote): Thank you Mr Speaker. Reflecting on Russia's invasion of Ukraine I can do no better than echo the words of the Minister of Foreign Affairs which the Prime Minister too referenced in the House yesterday. President Putin's invasion is a clear act of aggression a blatant breach of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and a violation of international law and the UN Charter by a permanent member of the UN Security Council. It's the act of a bully brutally using its power in breach of international law. We're seeing a devastating human cost as a result of Russia's disregard for its obligations under the UN Charter and disregard for humanity and I know that this House stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.In recent days Russia has put its nuclear forces on high alert; a decision that increases the risk of miscalculation and with it potentially catastrophic consequences for humanity. We've also seen neighbouring Belarus rightfully condemned for moves to allow Russia's nuclear weapons to be stationed within its borders. In Kyiv and other major cities civilians and civilian infrastructure are being targeted and hit by explosive weapons bringing war directly into the backyards of innocent non-combatants and in violation of international humanitarian law. Credible reports of the use of cluster munitions have begun to come through; an indiscriminate weapon which many countries New Zealand included recognise as being illegal under international law. As disarmament and arms control Minister times like these bring into sharp focus the need for a renewed focus internationally on disarmament and particularly the threat of nuclear weapons. This means not only limiting destruction when conflict occurs but reducing the tensions that lead to war breaking out in the first place. It's a tough climate right now for nuclear disarmament. The nuclear-weapon States who also happen to be the permanent members of the Security Council of which Russia is one argue that the international security climate is too uncertain and too unstable to be ambitious about following through on their commitments to reduce and eliminate their nuclear arsenals. But President Putin in threatening the use of nuclear weapons in the course of an unprovoked invasion of a neighbouring country has surely demonstrated that the opposite is true.In times of crisis the need for strong international law and multilateral institutions is most urgent. This is the very time we turn to the rules norms and safeguards to prevent conflict and reduce the suffering of civilians in war. While it's hard right now to imagine Russia sitting down with the other nuclear-weapon States to agree new commitments to reduce and eliminate their nuclear weapons that is precisely what is needed. As the world now works together to impose sanctions on Russia and to support Ukraine we must be equally muscular and equally united in building out some multilateral institutions and strengthening international law. If we don't how will we avoid a renewed arms race more breaches of the UN Charter more conflict and a much more dangerous world? That is why New Zealand continues to advocate for States to uphold their existing obligations under international law to hold accountable those who violate these obligations and push for additional controls as new threats to peace and security emerge. A strong response by the international community to Russia's invasion of Ukraine shows that the world is capable of coming together and taking action on issues that matter. Our job now is to harness that unity and sense of purpose as we address the big disarmament issues of our time; issues that relate both to the prevention of conflict and to the protection of civilians when those efforts fail.In New Zealand you know we may feel a long way from the war in Ukraine. History has shown again that conflict reverberates far beyond where the bombs are going off. And that's true for a conventional conflict and even more where the use of nuclear weapons would be catastrophic cross-border and intergenerational effects has been put on the table.