Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has addressed Australian universities, calling on Australians to debunk the "myths from the Russian propaganda machine".
Look back on Mr Zelenskyy's speech and his Q+A session with our blog.
Key events
- How does Zelenskyy view China’s attitude and behaviour to this war?
- As a leader, what has been the hardest thing to accept?
- How will Ukrainian society and culture be different after the war?
- How does Zelenskyy achieve optimism?
- Zelenskyy delivers powerful address to Australian universities
- Russia's war in Ukraine: What you need to know right now
- Where can I watch Zelenskyy's address?
Live updates
By Jessica Riga
This is where we'll leave you
Thank you for joining us this evening as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed Australian universities amid Russia's war in Ukraine.
To recap:
- Zelenskyy called on Australians to debunk the "myths from the Russian propaganda machine"
- He says he would like to see China join the countries opposing Russia
- While he didn't rule out the prospect of Russia and Ukraine ever finding equal footing, he did say that decision is entirely up to Russia
- When asked what has been the hardest thing to accept, Zelenskyy said the actions people are capable of, referencing Ukraine's heroism as much as Russia's brutality
You can continue to stay up to date here on the ABC News website and on our app.
For now, goodnight.
By Jessica Riga
'Thank you, we will win together': Zelenskyy
The Q+A session has come to a close, which wraps up the event.
Here are a couple more of Zelenskyy's comments from his speech earlier.
"Every day the world is shocked by new messages about new Russian atrocities.
"It has to be obvious to everyone that 'saving face' doesn’t matter.
"It’s been 161 days [since the war]. It’s important not to forget any of those days."
"The world constantly speaks about Russia's actions but only in the context of their 'topical' atrocities. But the world needs to put it altogether and recognise and realise that the one who wants to save face doesn't wipe a peaceful city and country off the face of the Earth.
"They don't drop bombs on houses, hospitals, kindergardens. The one who wants to save its face doesn't commit the massive executions of the peaceful population.
"They wouldn't deprive people of warmth, of communication, of the slighest hope that they won't shut the humanitarian corridors."
"Today’s Russia has lost his face long ago. This has been proven.
"The difference between a terrorist and Russia is that a terrorist is held accountable for their actions. Russia can’t even do that."
By Jessica Riga
How does Zelenskyy view China’s attitude and behaviour to this war?
"I would like China to join the unified world position … in any way it would happen," Zelenskyy says.
"As for now, China is balancing and indeed has neutrality.
"I will be honest, neutrality is better than China joining Russia.
"It’s important for us that China doesn’t help Russia. It’s important for nations to impose sanctions."
By Jessica Riga
How does Zelenskyy feel about Ukraine winning Eurovision?
And does he think music is an important tool for connecting those during violence?
"First of all, yes I do think that culture, sport and science have great significance in times of war, even more than peacetime," Zelenskyy says.
"We're motivated by any victory. We support our sportsmen, our cultural victories. We support our scientists when they become the best.
"A lot of people haven't even heard of us, so this victory is important for us.
"It's a battlefield for us everywhere."
By Jessica Riga
Has there been any international aid for Ukrainians with disabilities?
And if not, how can we help?
"Of course you can help," Zelenskyy says.
“We have a few programs. My wife is dealing with this directly, with these programs.
He has directed the audience to search online to join and participate in charity work to help Ukrainians with disabilities.
By Jessica Riga
How does Ukraine rebuild?
"We will rebuild," Zelenskyy says.
"As for the economy, that's another question. It will happen in time.
"We have lost millions of jobs. Not thousands. For a country of 40 million, we have 12 million displaced.
"We have had the first delivery of grain, but it's not enough."
By Jessica Riga
As a leader, what has been the hardest thing to accept?
"I will tell you," Zelenskyy says.
"I didn't think that people were capable of these things. Both sides.
"On one side, our people who are capable of such heroism, who went out on the street who started to stop military equipment with their bare hands.
"Then, the people who came to our land and simply... those things that they have done. It's a shock for me. I never thought people were capable of those [things]. We've seen the horror movies but I never thought Ukraine would be scarier than the movies."
By Jessica Riga
Will Russian-Ukraine relations ever reach 'good terms'?
And what will it take to happen?
"Most probably. This is the hardest question, because I will tell you frankly, nobody wants to have anything in common with [them].
"I'm telling you wholeheartedly... is it possible? It will depend only on Russia.
"I don't know, every family has lost something. No one will forget.
"That question belongs only to him, only to them."
By Jessica Riga
How will Ukrainian society and culture be different after the war?
Zelenskky says he hopes the country will remain united, as they have throughout the duration of the war.
"We had the right to freedom, the right to love.
"Before the war, you don’t think you’ll have that moment where you’ll have to choose. Or someone else will choose that you need to leave.
"You hear it from me, but you can’t feel it. And I’m happy that you don’t have to feel this. I’m happy that you’re posing these questions, that you’re thinking of the future.
"We are united. It’s very important to have unity and I have faith that we will stay united as we did during the war.
By Jessica Riga
We’re all impacted by Russia’s war in Ukraine. How can students help?
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeated his previous call to share the truth about the war in Ukraine, specially pointing to social media as a way to communicate.
By Jessica Riga
Is Zelenskyy hopeful a post-Putin Russian will integrate into global society, or is this unlikely?
"It depends only on one country and that is Russia," Zelenskyy says.
By Jessica Riga
How does Zelenskyy achieve optimism?
Our first question comes from an ANU student.
Zelenskyy credits the Ukrainian people.
"I am inspired by people. I am inspired by our nation. The people who fight for their life. This belongs to the Ukrainian nation and no one else and that’s why I’m proud of it. Everyone in our country is a leader. I am sure we will win this war."
By Jessica Riga
Zelenskyy receives a standing ovation
We're now into the Q+A session of the event.
By Jessica Riga
'Continue to tell the truth': Zelenskyy
"I know a lot of Australians send aid to Ukraine. I call on you to continue to help Ukraine, including in the classroom by telling the truth and debunking the myths from the Russian propaganda machine."
By Jessica Riga
Zelenskyy delivers powerful address to Australian universities
"Today’s Russia has lost his face long ago. This has been proven," Zelenskyy says.
"The difference between a terrorist and Russia is that a terrorist is held accountable for their actions. Russia can’t even do that."
By Jessica Riga
We're now hearing from Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
"This shouldn't be a common thing for the world, because that means the world has put up with it," Zelenskyy says.
By Jessica Riga
The event has begun
ANU Chancellor and former Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop is providing an introduction.
"Many people have lost their lives. Cities and towns ravaged. And the destruction continues," she says.
"Ukraine's leader has stood firm in the face of Russian aggression. Rallying his people through his presence and words. His energy has inspired people around the world."
By Jessica Riga
Why is Zelenskyy addressing Australian universities?
Why is he addressing Australian universities?
- Why?
Julie Bishop, who is opening the event, told the ABC this morning that one concern for Ukraine is maintaining a spotlight on the war.
"I think one of the concerns for Ukraine would be that although there’s been significant international support for Ukraine’s fight for freedom and democracy, there’s always that concern about war fatigue where there’s diminishing media coverage and interest the longer the conflict endures."
By Jessica Riga
Julie Bishop will be opening the event
The event, due to start shortly, will be officially opened by ANU Chancellor and former Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop.
By Jessica Riga
Russia's war in Ukraine: What you need to know right now
Here's the latest on Russia's war in Ukraine:
-
A deal between Russia and Ukraine to unblock Ukrainian grain exports may offer a way forward to a ceasefire in the five-month conflict, according to former German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, a friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin
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Reuters reports that Schroeder told media that: "A first success is the grain deal, perhaps that can be slowly expanded to a ceasefire"
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The first grain-carrying ship to leave Ukrainian ports in wartime anchored off Turkey's coast on Tuesday
- Meanwhile, Russia says the United States is directly involved in the conflict because US spies were approving and coordinating Ukrainian missile strikes on Russian forces
- The United States has imposed sanctions on Alina Kabaeva, a former Olympic gymnast the Treasury Department described as having a close relationship with Putin
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The G7 is looking at blocking the transportation of Russian oil among other options to deprive Moscow of bumper revenues
