Statement of the Green Party of Ukraine  The Green Party of Ukraine (GPU) expresses its deep disappointment with recent statements by newly elected Australian Greens leader Senator David Shoebridge regarding the refusal to provide military assistance to Ukraine. We sincerely thank the Australian Greens for supporting humanitarian missions and calling for a complete embargo on Russian oil. At the same time, we emphasise that refusing to provide defensive weapons to a country waging a just war of liberation is a dangerous illusion that plays into the hands of the aggressor, Vladimir Putin. The Green Party of Ukraine emphasises: Dogmatic pacifism kills. As part of the global environmental movement, we share a commitment to peace. However, pacifism in the face of a ruthless invader does not stop war — it leads to occupation and the destruction of an entire nation. Ukraine is exercising its legitimate right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter. The absurdity of a “UN veto”. Senator Shoebridge’s demand that arms supplies be authorised through the UN Security Council, where Russia holds the power of veto, is detached from reality. It is equivalent to asking a criminal for permission to call the police. Russia’s war is causing massive ecocide. Russian forces deliberately destroy dams, mine millions of hectares of Ukraine’s fertile black soil, burn unique nature reserves and poison Europe’s water resources. Environmental protection is impossible without protecting the people who live in that environment. The only way to stop this ecological catastrophe is to stop the Russian army by force. Unity among the global Greens. Green parties across Europe have long recognised this threat. They are at the forefront of political forces demanding maximum military assistance for Ukraine. We call on our Australian colleagues to follow the example of their European Green counterparts. The Green Party of Ukraine welcomes the position taken by Australian Senator Sarah Hanson-Young Senator Sarah Hanson-Young and those members of the Australian Greens who have publicly spoken out in defence of Ukraine. We call on David Shoebridge to reconsider his position, listen to the voices of Ukrainian environmentalists and support the provision of defensive weapons to Ukraine. Only victory over the aggressor can restore lasting peace and security to the European continent. greenparty.ua/patsyfizm-ne-z…

Pollution readings in Singapore reached their highest level this year ‌on Wednesday while East Timor shut its schools for three days in response to intensifying #smoke and haze from Indonesia's 🔥wildfires. Singapore's 1-hour #airpollution PM2.5 reading hit a high of 284 micrograms per cubic metre in the western part of the island state, entering the National Environmental Agency's "very high" band for the first time during the current ​#haze period. reuters.com/business/environ…