He said the decision would depend on the government’s official policy on the situation there.

“We are still thinking about that (participation of Russia and Ukraine in the expo) as I want to see our official position vis-a-vis diplomatic relations, in view of the conflict.

“I am sure Wisma Putra is monitoring the position of our neighbours, be it Singapore or the rest of Asean. We already know how Europe and Nato (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) feel about it.

“It’s a conflict that is still unfolding and that needs to be monitored, but the defence ministry will be guided by the official policy of the government.”

Hishammuddin was responding to a question on possible restrictions on the two countries in the upcoming Defence Service Asia and National Security Asia expo and conference later this month.

Since 1998, Russian and Ukrainian defence companies have actively participated in the event.

The event is hosted, supported and co-organised by the defence ministry, with the 17th edition of the event slated to be held from March 28 to 31 in Kuala Lumpur. The event was originally scheduled to be held in March 2020 but had been postponed to this year.

Separately, Hishammuddin said he sympathised with those affected by recent events in Ukraine, citing how he too lost his step-grandmother Siti Amirah Kusuma in the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 tragedy in July 2014 due to the long-term conflict in the region. The plane was brought down by a missile fired by Russian-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine.