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Half a million people flee Ukraine - as UK rules out visa waiver for refugees
Alan McGuinness, political reporter 19 hrs ago
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A further 100,000 Ukrainians will be able to seek sanctuary in the UK, the home secretary has announced, but Priti Patel has ruled out a visa waiver for those fleeing the conflict with Russia following Vladimir Putin's invasion.

Refugees fleeing from Ukraine. Pic: AP© Associated Press Refugees fleeing from Ukraine. Pic: AP
Ms Patel's announcement came as the United Nations refugee agency said more than a half a million people had fled Ukraine since the invasion on Thursday.

Many of them have been going to Poland, Romania and Hungary. And millions have left their homes.

Ukraine-Russia news live: Peace talks begin on Belarus border

Key developments in the Ukraine crisis:


• Russia's attack 'not on schedule' and 'in some significant areas of disarray' - defence secretary

• 'Dozens killed in mass shelling' as both sides hold peace talks

• Russia hikes key interest rate to 20% after rouble sinks to record low

• Roman Abramovich trying to find 'peaceful resolution' to Ukraine invasion, spokesman says

Ukrainian family members exempt from salary or language tests

Making the announcement in the Commons, Ms Patel said family members of those who are British nationals or have been given settled status - who do not meet the usual eligibility criteria but pass security checks - will be able to come to the UK for 12 months.

They will have to pass biometric and security checks but there will not be any salary or language tests, as are usually required.

Ms Patel said applications are being processed "in just hours" and said she is committed to ensuring the UK "is as generous as possible to the people of Ukraine, just as we have been to the people of Afghanistan and Hong Kong" in recent months.

She added that further announcements on Ukrainian refugees will be made "in due course".


Video: Russia could invade Ukraine ‘almost immediately’, Truss warns (PA Media)


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No visa waiver for Ukrainian refugees

However, the home secretary said she would not be introducing a visa waiver because of fears that Russian troops and extremists could try and come to the UK.

Updating MPs on the government's latest efforts, Ms Patel said the UK's new "bespoke humanitarian route" for the people of Ukraine would "keep pace with the developing situation on the ground".

The home secretary told MPs this has "already supported hundreds of British nationals and their families resident in Ukraine to leave".

"The UK visas and immigration staff continue to work around the clock to assist them," she said.

Ms Patel added: "We are in direct contact with individuals and we've also lowered various requirements and salary thresholds so that people can be supported.

"Where family members of British nationals do not meet the usual eligibility criteria, but pass security checks, UK visas and immigration will give them the permission to enter the UK outside the rules for 12 months and is prioritising all applications.

"Giving British nationals and any person settled in the UK the ability to bring over their immediate Ukrainian family members."

Need to keep Britons safe

Outlining why she was rejecting calls for a visa waiver, the home secretary said she was following the "strongest security advice" in doing so.

"Security and biometric checks are a fundamental part of our visa approval process worldwide and will continue, as they did for the evacuation of people from Afghanistan," she said.

"That is vital to keep British citizens safe and to ensure that we are helping those in genuine need, particularly as Russian troops are now infiltrating Ukraine and merging into Ukrainian forces.

"Intelligence reports also state the presence of extremist groups and organisations who threaten the region but also our domestic homeland.

"We know all too well what Putin's Russia is willing to do, even on our soil, as we saw through the Salisbury attack."

The home secretary also revealed the UK has asked for Russia to be suspended from its membership of Interpol, telling the Commons: "We'll be leading all international efforts to that effect."

Siwisheswereesh:
Pro-Putin looooonatics on the beat!!

SarkinYarki:
Uncle Sam can only help you turn your country to rubbles

hammer567:
A lesson for all you shouting west, as if they care about you.


After encouraging them to destroy their country, they shut the door on them.




For life you must get sense by force.

KosiGee:
Stop being silly, no one is pushing Ukrainians. They don’t want Putin dictating to them. They don’t want Russian influence. They need military assistance to fight their aggressors.

hammer567:
See denial already.


Ok, na my grand papa send them weapon, sanctions and war talk for Ukraine.

hammer567:
For life, to get sense na by force, that am sure.

helinues:
I love the passionate question the Ukrainian journalist just asked Johnson.

Ukraine is the country in trouble, why traveling to Poland and Estonia instead of Ukraine if not that Johnson and NATO are afraid of Putin

I now understand the reason why NATO can't closed Ukraine air space. That would Automatically draw NATO in the war and Nukes are inevitable