The Ambassador of Ukraine Mykola Kulinich emphasised that these awards testified the contribution of the leading Australian political and military leaders who have worked hard and have effectively responded to international challenges during the most dramatic times of bilateral relations, when the Russian aggression against Ukraine had led to the downfall of the Malaysian MH17 flight with 38 Australians on board.

J.Bishop very emotionally and frankly shared her memories of the first contacts with the Ukrainian side after the tragedy with the Malaysian Boeing, she expressed her personal conviction that the plane was shot down by the separatists supported by the Russian Federation. The readiness of the Ukrainian parliament to return from vacation in order to vote for the access of the Australian police contingent to the site of the tragedy was separately noted, as well as the unprecedented interaction of countries within the United Nations in the preparation and adoption of the relevant resolution condemning the MN17 disaster.

In addition to Minister Julie Bishop, the honorary awards were also honored to retired Air Chief Marshal Allan Houston, Special Envoy of the Australian Government for the Identification and Repatriation of the Bodies of Australian Citizens – the victims of the MN17 disaster, Deputy Secretary of the Australian DFAT,  Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations in 2013-2014, Gary Quinlan, who actively supported Ukraine.