Not So European? UK Accused Of Turning Away Refugees Fleeing The War In Ukraine
On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was given a standing ovation from lawmakers in the British House of Commons where he made a historic speech via video link.
British lawmakers, like their other European counterparts, have also made tall speeches of solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
But it seems like they are only doing that - while most European states are opening their doors to those fleeing the war in Ukraine, the UK, a former member of the EU is apparently not so welcoming.
Over the past few days, there have been several reports of the UK authorities turning away or delaying the entry of Ukrainian refugees to the country.
22-year-old Alena Semenova, and her Tetyana Tsybanyuk, from Kyiv were allegedly told that they cannot enter the UK without a valid visa after they travelled over 1,500 miles by road to seek asylum there.
According to The Independent, as of Monday, the UK Home Office had only granted 300 visas of to the 17,000 applications.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan called it an embarrassment.
"There are more than 1.7 million Ukrainian refugees seeking asylum. The UK has only accepted 300 - an embarrassment. Londoners, charities and councils stand ready to help those fleeing the war in Ukraine but we need the Government to step up," he wrote on Twitter.
By Wednesday, Britain had granted over 950 visas to Ukrainians?
In contrast, Moldova has already accepted more than 82,000 people fleeing Ukraine.
The number of Ukrainians who have been welcomed into Poland is in the millions.
Ireland has accepted 2,500 Ukrainian refugees so far.
During a speech made at the Ukrainian catholic cathedral in London, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson vowed support for the fleeing Ukrainians, stating: ¡°We in the UK cannot shut our eyes and pass by on the other side.¡± UK¡¯s Home Office published updated guidance on its website, adding that visas will be issued free.?
In another glitch pointed out by shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, the updated guidance is only applicable to the spouses, unmarried partners of at least two years, parents or their children if one is under 18, or adult relatives. Any close family relative of British nationals would not be covered as per the new rules.
On Thursday, a British minister said that the country is looking at easing its visa requirements for Ukrainian refugees.
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