Luxon ChristopherCHRISTOPHER LUXON (Leader of the Opposition): President Zelenskyy thank you for taking time to talk with us this morning. It is a great honour and a tremendous privilege for all of us to have you address our New Zealand Parliament today. While there is a vast distance between our countries in geography and circumstances I like so many New Zealanders have followed with horror and disbelief the war in Ukraine and we all appreciate the opportunity to be able to say to you kia kaha which in our indigenous Māori language means stay strong. When 10 months ago the world learnt that Russian tanks had rolled into Ukraine there was disbelief and immediate condemnation of Russia's audacity in the face of international outrage. All countries were at that point forced to choose sides. It was a moment for all nations to stand up and to be counted but for those nations that value democracy respect national sovereignty and borders and uphold the international rule of law the choice was simple. New Zealand is one of those countries. Confronted with brutality or diplomacy autocracy or democracy darkness or light there was nothing to discuss except how to individually and collectively support Ukraine. This conflict is described as a war between Ukraine and Russia but it is far bigger than that. It is a moral as well as a physical battle. It is frankly an existential threat to Ukraine a war that Ukraine cannot and will not lose. President Zelenskyy your courageous leadership and moral certitude has been inspiring to us all. You have been our generation's Winston Churchill and since those Russian tanks crossed Ukraine's border you have been unwavering in your determination that Ukraine will win this war that it did not want and that it did not start. Of all the miscalculations Vladimir Putin has made and there are many underestimating your resolve and the impact of the strength of your leadership and the words—your words—would have in rallying Ukraine and the world has perhaps been the biggest. You said that Ukrainians would fight for Ukraine. You said that they would be willing to die for their country and in laying down their lives for what they believed in and on behalf of their fellow Ukrainians they have proved you right. In fighting for Ukraine they have fought for the democratic values and national sovereignty that so many countries and people all around the world share and believe in but the burden of that fight has fallen primarily on Ukraine. Ten months ago Ukrainian men and women who were accountants and cooks and teachers and mechanics became almost overnight soldiers. Their courage their commitment and their resilience has amazed and humbled the world. Their sacrifice compels other countries to help. We cannot stand back; we must stand up. None of us especially a small country like New Zealand wants to believe that might is right. We want to believe that moral courage is just as important. But this war has proved that when you have to fight for what you believe in you need an army weapons ammunition and friends to help defend your interests. This war has again highlighted the shortcomings of the United Nations whose purpose is noble but whose impact is weak. This international group could not prevent one authoritarian power launching a war on its neighbour. Every country I think has learnt that it is a mistake to think that they themselves or their friends can do without firepower. We might wish it to be different but to support a collective response we all must be able to contribute. When the history of this war is written the greatest condemnation will be for Vladimir Putin. The greatest admiration will be for you President Zelenskyy and your courageous leadership. The greatest gratitude will be for the people of Ukraine. Daily we see images of indiscriminate attacks on civilians that leave broken and burning villages cities homes and schools and the death of every single Ukrainian is a tragedy. The greatest regret of this war will be the terrible loss of life that has left tens of thousands of Ukrainian families bereft. But one day peace will come again to Ukraine. We can't see how or when but it will come and at that point the international community will need to rally to support a reconstruction programme because while the loss of life is the most terrible toll the loss of homes and communities and critical infrastructure is also incalculable. I feel confident even speaking from the Opposition in saying that New Zealand will be part of that rebuilding effort. I cannot imagine circumstances where we would not be. But for now in the most bitter winter for Ukraine and on behalf of the New Zealand National Party I send to you our deepest condolences our tremendous respect and great admiration. This war is cruel it is immoral and it is wrong but for as long as Russia continues to fight Ukraine must continue to fight and we and the rest of the world must continue to back you. We in New Zealand hope and pray that this war ends soon and until it does my pledge is that the New Zealand National Party like the rest of New Zealand will stand with you. Kia kaha.