Only a few days have passed since Russian forces invaded Ukraine, and the assault on capital Kyiv is already in full swing, with the world watching in disbelief.
As governments respond with rounds of sanctions on Russia, people all over the world have taken to the streets to protest against an attack that many analysts say could spark the worst conflict in Europe since WWII.
Greeks in Australia have been no exception, with the community coming out united in its statements calling for the conflict to end and expressing their support to the affected people of Ukraine.
Many individuals have taken to social media to voice their solidarity while organised action has included letters of support sent by the Greek Community of Melbourne to the Greek Society of Kiev and the Association of Ukrainians in Victoria.
“The GCM in particular fears for the wellbeing of the large Greek community in the Ukraine and we stand in support of them and the entire Ukrainian nation,” they note.
The Australian Federation of Pontian Associations have also brought forward their concerns for the Greek diaspora there and the impact of conflict more broadly.
“A war in this day and age is disastrous. The cost is huge and manifesting as environmental, economic, social, in lives lost and the spread of new epidemics.”
In the same vein, the Federation of Pontian Associations of Australia stated they have been in contact with community representatives in Ukraine for weeks now.
“Ukraine is home to 100,000 Greeks at the very least. Many of them having been there for generations working hard to preserve their identity,” they point out in their announcement declaring that “the welfare of the Ukranian citizens with Greek ancestry” is of utmost priority to the organisation.
