John,

This week, our country has watched as Vladimir Putin and the Russian military aggressively invaded Ukraine.

This is an unprovoked, premeditated attack on a sovereign nation which has already resulted in unnecessary loss of life.

Ukraine has bravely chosen to resist Russia at every turn to defend their country and their Democracy — and I stand by them 100%.

President Joe Biden is leading a sound response to this crisis with our allies across the world. These punishing sanctions on Russia will have a long lasting impact on Putin and his government.

The senseless violence we’ve seen in the past days is the result of a dictator who is determined to take power with total disregard for international law and human life.

For now we can only hope and pray for minimal suffering amongst the Ukrainian people. My prayers are with the Ukrainian people.

I stand with them in the face of this attack and I stand for Democracy.

Michele Rayner