Ukrainian refugees could be given safe passage to relocate to Sydney’s eastern suburbs

The thousands of eastern Europeans who call the eastern suburbs home, many of who came as refugees after the fall of the Soviet Union, are paving the way for displaced Ukrainians to follow in their footsteps.

The eastern suburbs could soon welcome Ukrainian refugees with talks already underway with Australian eastern European community leaders and the government.

Rabbi Yehoram Ulman heads up the Friends of Refugees of Eastern Europe Chabad of Bondi which services the Jewish Russian speaking community.

He estimated they have a few thousand members across Sydney, the majority of who live in the east or inner city.

Children eat bread in a camp set up near the Slovak-Ukrainian border crossing in Vysne Nemecke, eastern Slovakia. Some 677,000 refugees have fled the conflict in Ukraine for safety in neighbouring countries, while around a million people are estimated to be internally displaced. (Photo by PETER LAZAR / AFP)

Many of them immigrated or came as refugees in the lead up to or following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Now for the first time in 20 years the Sydney Jewish community may welcome some more refugees from eastern Europe with Rabbi Ulman speaking to various government department departments and MPs, including Member for Wentworth Dave Sharma, about expediting their arrival.

“I believe Australia is opening its doors. We already have some inquiries from Ukrainians and we are talking to the right departments about them coming here,” Rabbi Ulman said.

“There’s much concern from some of the members of our community who have families and relatives over there.

“Our community is very united – there is no separation between Ukrainian and Russian Jewish people. We are all concerned about our brothers and sisters in Ukraine.”

Rabbi Yehoram Ulman from the Friends of Refugees of Eastern Europe. Picture: John Appleyard

Rabbi Ulman said his community also had concerns for some Jewish people in Russia who may be in danger after publicly denouncing the war.

“There will be people who will feel their position is precarious in Russia when they want to speak their mind, putting their families in danger so I do anticipate they will (seek asylum),” he said.

Rabbi Ulman called on the government to do all they could to pave the way for refugees to arrive as soon as possible.

“I hope it is very soon. The reason they want to come is the situation they face right now. I hope it will not be a protracted exercise,” Rabbi Ulman said.

“No doubt the community will rise to the occasion and will do everything possible to make their absorption and relocation to Australia as easy as possible.”

Mr Sharma said there were many residents of Wentworth with Ukrainian or Russian heritage.

Member for Wentworth Dave Sharma. Picture: John Appleyard

“Australia stands ready to respond generously to any resettlement needs stemming from this conflict,” Mr Sharma said.

“Ukrainian applications for visas are being fast-tracked, and all Ukrainian nationals in Australia will be provided an automatic extension to any expiring visas. I am in close contact with my colleagues in the government on this issue and will remain a strong and engaged voice within the government on this issue.

“I have been speaking with Ukraine’s senior diplomat in Australia to convey my condemnation of Russia’s unprovoked act of aggression, to convey our solidarity and support for Ukraine during these difficult times.

“I am also in regular contact with local leaders of the Ukrainian and Russian communities within Wentworth.

“It is a dangerous and uncertain time for global peace and stability.”