Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko MP expressed disappointment at Vanimo Green MP Belden Namah's recent social media statement, criticizing it as lacking decency for using the Russia-Ukraine conflict for political gain. In a statement, Tkatchenko clarified that PNG's stance on Ukraine aligns with international calls for peace and humanitarian grounds, reiterating that PNG has not affirmed plans for a security arrangement with China despite insinuations from Namah. "I made this crystal clear in my meeting with Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Senator Penny Wong prior to Prime Minister James Marape's Guest of Government visit to Canberra, Australia." "We respect China as our key economic development partner, and will do so with our traditional security partners going forward" Namah's reference to Ukraine was further condemned by Tkatchenko as political posturing, emphasizing the need for genuine concern amidst the ongoing conflict which has resulted in thousands of civilian deaths. He criticized Namah's attack as an embarrassment, urging for policy challenges based on facts rather than politicizing sensitive global issues like the Ukraine conflict. "According to the report from the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, reported deaths of Ukraine civilians is at over 10, 000 since the start of the war on February 24, 2022 - over 500 of them children; and the Member chooses to use this to drive his political attack on myself.” “That is not honor as a former Military officer!” “Where is the decency as a Papua New Guinean?" Tkatchenko commended the collective stand taken by foreign missions in PNG last week in support of international law and peace efforts- spearheaded by French Ambassador Guillaume Lemoine with support from fellow foreign heads of missions consistent with the United Nations Charter. "I welcome the challenge on policy, my record as Foreign Affairs Minister, and what has been accomplished; but it is a shame that this clear attack comes under the cover of a false sense of concern for diplomacy, and using Ukraine to score political points is broadside in nature. "Our moral support is for an end to the conflict.” "Standing together and binding together for a common cause is to demonstrate that should this happen to PNG; we will also expect such a coalition of nations to stand for us and voice their positions and our concerns in a time of war."