The UK has been working tirelessly to find as many ways as possible to support the Ukrainian people.
We have seen the UK government call for some of the hardest sanctions on Russia, seeking to cut Russian banks from Swift from January. Many EU countries resisted this but have this weekend now agreed with us and the US.
I also note there is a lot of misinformation flying around on social media about the UK’s response to helping Ukrainian refugees. I am working to increase support further but this is not the time to bash our country’s support, attack them government for political purposes or confuse the position. Ukrainian refugees know they have options in the UK as well as around the world as repeatedly stated by the PM, Foreign Secretary, Home Secretary and Defence Secretary.
I have set out below some information on sanctions and refugees but there will be more announcements soon so bear with me 🙏🙏
The UK alongside the US, EU and other allies have imposed the following sanctions on Russia:
- Restrictions to prohibit UK persons from undertaking financial transactions involving the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, the Russian National Wealth Fund, and the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation.
- Restrictions against Russian financial institutions.
- Measures to prevent Russian companies from issuing transferable securities and money market instruments in the UK. This is in addition to the prohibition of the Russian state raising sovereign debt in the UK.
- A power to prevent designated banks from accessing Sterling and clearing payments through the UK. Banks subject to this measure will be unable to process any payments through the UK or have access to UK financial markets.
- A set of measures to strengthen our trade restrictions against Russia. This includes a prohibition against the export of a range of high-end and critical technical equipment and components in sectors including electronics, telecommunications, and aerospace.
- The extension of financial and trade measures applying to Crimea to the DNR and LNR regions.
These sanctions will also apply to Belarussian individuals and organisations that have supported the Russian invasion.
The UK’s support for Ukrainians as they currently stand are as follows:
- The UK has not stopped accepting visa applications from Ukrainians without UK relatives.
- The UK has multiple official routes available to Ukrainians who are not dependants of British nationals.
- Our VAC in Kyiv closed following Russia’s attack on the city. Our VAC in Lviv remains open.
- Dependants of British Nationals who are residing in Ukraine in need of a visa can apply at the Lviv location or through a the following nearby countries: Poland, Moldova, Romania and Hungary. Please only travel if you are able to do so safely.
- Capacity in VACs has been extended and will extend further this week.
- A pop-up VAC is being set up in Rzeszow.
The UK stands with Ukraine in this dark hour. We will continue to offer our support and will send an additional £40million of humanitarian aid to provide vital medical supplies and assistance to the people of Ukraine. This brings the total amount of UK aid pledged to Ukraine to £140million this year.
This is a truly devastating situation for a democratic country that just wants to live in peace. The images of children and babies being frightened in shelters has rocked so many Stroud people to their core. I am grateful to all of you who have got in touch to express concerns and wanting to know how to help.
I’ll keep you informed 🙏
