‘Stop Putin now’: Aussie protest for Ukraine erupts as thousands rally

Thousands of Ukrainian-Australians rallied across the country in a united call to stop Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war plot.

Thousands of Ukrainian-Australians across the country gathered for church services and rallies with the single message – stand with Ukraine and stop Vladimir Putin’s war plot.

In colourful displays of national blue and yellow colours and most wearing traditional dress, they waved flags, sang, prayed and appealed for support as their country stands on the precipice of war with Russia.

In Sydney, federal Immigration Minister Alex Hawke told the throng the Morrison government stood with them and their allies.

The Ukrainian-Australian community in Sydney gathered at St Andrews Church in Lidcombe to protest Russia’s war threat. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

But it was federal Labor MP Jason Clare who received the loudest cheers with his impassioned address, honouring Ukrainians who had already died in the past eight years of conflict in the country.

“Russia must back off and abide by its international commitments … this is a dark and dangerous moment but it is not too late for Russia to just back off,” he said on the steps of St Andrew’s Ukrainian Church in Sydney’s west.

Federal Labour MP Jason Clare attends the Ukrainian community protest at St Andrews Church in Lidcombe as the Russian Ukrainian relationship remains unstable. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

His address received rousing applause and cheers of “bravo” from locals and a large gathering of diplomats from a range of consulates and embassies including the US, Poland and Turkey.

There are more than 60,000 Ukrainians and dual nationals living in Australia.

Ukrainian Resident and Business person David Pointon speaks to Ukrainian supporters at The Association of Ukrainians in South Australia rally outside Parliament House, SA. Picture Emma Brasier

Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations co-chair Stefan Romaniw said he spoke by telephone to Foreign Minister Marise Payne ahead of her meetings with EU leaders.

Ukrainians protest at the steps of Parliament in Melbourne. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicki Connolly

He said he was buoyed by Australia’s support for Ukraine’s people but the situation could not go on like it was.

“Something needs to give, we can’t go on … we can’t have this thing everyday, everybody everyday, waiting for something to happen,” he said.

The Ukrainian-Australian community laid flowers at St Andrews Church in Lidcombe as part of the rally. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

He said rallies in Australia were part of a worldwide march to say “no to Putin”.

“We are deeply worried about the destabilisation, chaos and fear caused by Russia,” Mr Romaniw said.

“We fear for our family and loved ones in Ukraine. We mourn the lives already lost and the possibility that a generation of Ukrainians might need to lay down their lives to resist an invasion.”

Originally published as ‘Stop Putin now’: Aussie protest for Ukraine erupts as thousands rally