A group of peaceful protesters rallied outside the office of the European Union delegation in Yarralumla today and called on the EU Ambassador to “cover the sky” over Ukraine.

The Parish Priest of the Canberran Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Father Michael Solomko, showed up to urge the EU to protect innocent civilians in Ukraine.

“As Christians and Europeans… we implore you as your fellow Christians. Please, stop this,” Father Michael said.

EU Ambassador, Michael Pulch, came down to meet the protesters and said the issue is of “great and utmost concern”.

“We are doing more on this than we have ever been able to do. We have imposed the most massive sanctions against Russia that the European Union has ever imposed on any other country,” Mr Pulch said.

“The people of Europe stand by Ukraine. We have looked at a whole variety of support measures and they are on the humanitarian and financial side, but also something very new for some of our member states – on the military side.”

Mr Pulch said he hopes the group will be able to come together on another occasion to see the end of the military aggression against Ukraine and a peaceful solution.

“Some states have changed decade-long policies to not deliver arms to conflict areas in favour of Ukraine,” he said.

“We will do whatever it takes to support you in that fight.”

Father Michael remains very worried about Ukrainian men, women and children being “murdered”.

“The Russians are bombing Ukraine indiscriminately and sending through long-range missiles. A no-fly zone will allow Ukraine’s air space to be protected,” he said.

“Ukrainians are not cowards. I’m very thankful to the Australian Government and I urge fellow Australians to stand with us. Support Ukraine, pray for Ukraine.”

Amongst the protesters was Ukrainian aviation safety expert and lecturer in Canberra, Dr Oleksandra Molloy who said her family are right now fighting for their lives.

“My family in Ukraine, and all Ukrainians, are struggling right now, so I have a mission to pass on the message to implement a no-fly zone,” Dr Molloy said.

“When the large-scale population is being killed, it is the matter of the United Nations Security Council to close the sky so the civilian population is not being killed.”

She said if people don’t urge those in power to stop this invasion, it will escalate, and more people will die.

“While we are talking right now, the biggest nuclear powerplant in Ukraine is on fire and it can be devastating to not only Ukraine, not only Europe, but to the whole world,” Dr Molloy said.

“My family and Ukrainians are fighting for their lives while not educating their children and the future population. Ukrainians want to live in peace, Ukrainians want peace.”

Proudly wearing the colours of her homeland, Marichka Maslei is unsure if she will see the faces of her family and friends who are living in Ukraine ever again.

“I have family and friends in Ukraine, and they decided to stay but they realise now it’s too dangerous. No one expected such a large-scale attack in the city – it’s a real war. They’re considering now whether to leave but it’s very dangerous to leave,” Ms Maslei said.

“They cannot explain what’s going on to their children. Ten days ago, they were going to school and being normal kids; now they’re hiding in underground shelters, walking through streets full of wreckages, glass, bombed buildings, bombshells …”

She said although people are scared, the morale is high across Ukraine, and everyone is doing what they can to protect their country.

“Occasionally I wonder if this is the last time I’m talking to my family and friends. I have small children and I was planning to go back with them in the late spring… it’s unbelievable to imagine that the Ukraine I was planning to go to isn’t there anymore,” Ms Maslei said.

“We cannot go back to the USSR. If Russia takes control so many people will be killed and put in prison – what about our children? Russia is basically North Korea but with a bit more money.”

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