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Ukrainian refugees seeking refuge in the UK will be granted an extension of at least 18 months, coinciding with the upcoming second anniversary of Russia’s violent invasion.
The ministers stated that this action would offer “peace of mind” while the war persists.
On Saturday, the Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky warned global leaders his country’s fight against Vladimir Putin‘s forces was being held back by a lack of long-range weapons.
He received a call while Lord Cameron, the foreign secretary, and Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, both expressed strong support for Kyiv at the Munich Security Conference.
Lord Cameron, along with other European leaders, has been urging US politicians to approve a billion-dollar foreign aid package for Ukraine.
The initial visas given to individuals escaping Ukraine allowed for a three-year stay in the UK through various programs that were scheduled to end in March of next year.
The Home Office has announced that these will be prolonged for an additional 18 months.
As we near the two-year mark, Tom Pursglove, the minister in charge of migration laws, reported that more than 200,000 Ukrainians and their families have migrated to Britain. Families all over the country have welcomed and supported the people of Ukraine, displaying exceptional kindness by providing shelter to those escaping the atrocities of war.
“This new visa extension scheme provides certainty and reassurance for Ukrainians in the UK on their future as this war continues, and we will continue to provide a safe haven for those fleeing the conflict.”
During a protest in Munich, a person holding a sign expressed opposition to Russia’s nuclear threat.
Felicity Buchan, the minister for housing and communities, has called for an increase in the number of families willing to provide shelter for those escaping the ongoing war. She urged potential sponsors to come forward in light of the growing number of incoming families, and encouraged interested individuals to check their eligibility and apply promptly.
The Ukrainian embassy’s charge d’affaires to the UK, Eduard Fesko, stated that the extensions are a clear indication of the government’s ongoing support.
Source: independent.co.uk
