The Invasion is ongoing...Part 8

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Following on...

You said you wanted a link to the number? That’s all I was offering!

No... I was querying the help offered. Thanks for your link. I now know it is just a phone number to ring, as opposed to a Visa service set up at Calais.
I imagine when ringing they are told to go to Brussels or Paris Embassies... that's what's being reported

Oh dear.

Does anyone have access to their french/German/Spanish/ Greek papers?
Surely their ministers are speaking out? Surely???

Evidently the journey time from Kyiv to Calais is much quicker than from London. Half a dozen people with laptops would have alleviated the problem.

@Bowbridge

Just watched an article on the BBC showing Dr David Nott (War Doctor) doing online training to hundreds of Ukrainian surgeons yesterday. He was teaching them conflict surgery for blast, gunshot, shrapnel wounds.

David Nott has extensive experience as a trauma surgeon in Syria, Afghanistan, Haiti etc. He wrote a brilliant book about his work in conflict zones and has a foundation to teach the life saving surgery techniques to those in the field. He is a truly amazing human.

]]

Could you possibly link to this BBC video?

@Abra1d1

More details re that number. Hope that’s the one that was referred to?

The new changes will allow extended family members of British nationals and people settled in the UK to come. This will include parents, grandparents, adult children and siblings from Ukraine, as well as immediate family members.
Extended family members will also be able to bring their immediate family with them. For example, a sibling of a settled person will be able to come to the UK with their spouse and child.
Immediate family members are defined as;
a spouse or civil partner
an unmarried partner (you must have been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years)
your parent if you are under the age of 18
your child under the age of 18
an adult relative you provide care for who lives with you due to a medical condition

Thank you, that was what I was talking about. Only difference is there is another (French) phone number for those already at Calais to be able to speak to an actual person from British immigration without having to go anywhere. I will see if I can find it.

Andrew Neil going big on Tories Lord's Lebedev and Lord Barker.

Andrew Neil
@afneil
As Chairman of US sanctioned Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska’s EN+ aluminium giant, former minor Tory politician Greg Barker (now a Tory peer) trousered $8m in 2019 and further $4m in 2020. Pressure on him to quit EN+ and Lords.

@Tigersonvaseline

Oh dear.

Does anyone have access to their french/German/Spanish/ Greek papers?
Surely their ministers are speaking out? Surely???

AFP report here:

www.lalibre.be/international/europe/2022/02/28/le-royaume-uni-refuse-daccueillir-tous-les-refugies-ukrainiens-sans-visa-Q552QS7GOZEZRELBCKTDP6X7AE/

I believe there was adverse comment on this by a French politician or ex-minister yesterday but can’t find full report ATM.

Looking for that I found this.
"Local Sponsorship Scheme for Ukraine
The government has announced plans for a new sponsorship scheme for Ukrainians without any family ties to the UK. The scheme will allow sponsors, such as communities, private sponsors or local authorities, to bring those forced to flee Ukraine to the UK.

There will be no limit on this scheme and we will welcome as many Ukrainians as wish to come and have matched sponsors.

Those who come under this scheme will also be granted leave for an initial period of 12 months and able to work and access public services.

The government will work closely with international partners and neighbouring countries on the scheme to ensure that displaced Ukrainians are supported to apply.

We will also make sure that those who want to sponsor an individual or family can volunteer and be matched quickly with Ukrainians in need, working closely with the devolved administrations and local authorities across the country."
From here: www.gov.uk/guidance/support-for-family-members-of-british-nationals-in-ukraine-and-ukrainian-nationals-in-ukraine-and-the-uk#if-you-need-to-travel-to-the-uk-urgently

The article linked by @vera99 is completely unhelpful (my criticism is aimed at the writer, not Vera!)

As someone said on a previous thread, the situation is abhorrent enough without needing to sensationalise things.

We’re repeatedly told that Putin will want to stir up panic. Why do our newspapers have to assist him in that? There are times for attention grabbing headlines but now is not that time. It’s distasteful and harmful, and draws attention away from actual issues.

[quote Andouillette]Looking for that I found this.
"Local Sponsorship Scheme for Ukraine
The government has announced plans for a new sponsorship scheme for Ukrainians without any family ties to the UK. The scheme will allow sponsors, such as communities, private sponsors or local authorities, to bring those forced to flee Ukraine to the UK.

There will be no limit on this scheme and we will welcome as many Ukrainians as wish to come and have matched sponsors.

Those who come under this scheme will also be granted leave for an initial period of 12 months and able to work and access public services.

The government will work closely with international partners and neighbouring countries on the scheme to ensure that displaced Ukrainians are supported to apply.

We will also make sure that those who want to sponsor an individual or family can volunteer and be matched quickly with Ukrainians in need, working closely with the devolved administrations and local authorities across the country."
From here: www.gov.uk/guidance/support-for-family-members-of-british-nationals-in-ukraine-and-ukrainian-nationals-in-ukraine-and-the-uk#if-you-need-to-travel-to-the-uk-urgently[/quote]
Yes this is what I was thinking of. If anyone is interested sponsoring is possible

I hope the sponsorship requirements aren’t too onerous - does anybody have any idea of what may be involved?

It’s almost as though now that they’re not scaring people about covid they’ve moved on to the nuclear apocalypse. It’s maddening. I know people who are seriously struggling with all this ☢️ talk. One of my friends who isn’t particularly anxious normally is finding it difficult to cope at the moment.

@Catquestion

I hope the sponsorship requirements aren’t too onerous - does anybody have any idea of what may be involved?

Andouillette posted this:

The government has announced plans for a new sponsorship scheme for Ukrainians without any family ties to the UK. The scheme will allow sponsors, such as communities, private sponsors or local authorities, to bring those forced to flee Ukraine to the UK.

There will be no limit on this scheme and we will welcome as many Ukrainians as wish to come and have matched sponsors.

www.gov.uk/guidance/support-for-family-members-of-british-nationals-in-ukraine-and-ukrainian-nationals-in-ukraine-and-the-uk#if-you-need-to-travel-to-the-uk-urgently

I'm sure there are a million things wrong with this thought but ..

How about Nato withdrawing from the areas that they encroached on towards USSR ? The areas that they said they wouldn't expand in to ?Or negotiate some fancy worded agreement whereby withdrawal dependent on ceasefire /return if invasion occurs ?

Would that help de escalate the situation ?

@Catquestion

I hope the sponsorship requirements aren’t too onerous - does anybody have any idea of what may be involved?

I have not managed to find that information but the number allowed in via sponsorship is uncapped with is a hopeful sign, surely?

@Catquestion

I hope the sponsorship requirements aren’t too onerous - does anybody have any idea of what may be involved?

Just read it but it doesn't give too many details.

Peridot

Would it pacify the Russian gangster Putin, I'm sure Yes.

That would make him extremely happy.

Why don't we also send him food hampers from fortnums.

I agree that sensationalist click bait headlines help no one. Russian news has been shown to be untrustworthy. I feel the same about misleading or sensationalist journalism. So the best way to report this war is calmly, clearly and fairly.

There is no movement on the Sponsorship scheme, no details yet. Let's just hope it's not just hot air, and it really will happen. According to official sources, it's 'yet to be announced' and 'further details will be announced in due course'.

No, it was pretty unclear- I think it’s still a work in progress

I would have space for a mother and one/ two children but if sponsorship required a huge financial outlay then I’d struggle to support it alone

UN
Total refugees from Ukraine now more than 1.5 million.

That’s equivalent to 3.5% of the country’s population.

I am sure i saw a draft of the sponsorship scheme where the sponsor has to agreee to meet all costs for 1 year (food, housing, clothing, education and healthcare etc) and have at least £10,000 set aside for this. I can see how a church for instance could club together but a lot of individuals dont have at least 10k.

@peridito

I'm sure there are a million things wrong with this thought but ..

How about Nato withdrawing from the areas that they encroached on towards USSR ? The areas that they said they wouldn't expand in to ?Or negotiate some fancy worded agreement whereby withdrawal dependent on ceasefire /return if invasion occurs ?

Would that help de escalate the situation ?

First thing wrong with this: expose those very countries to a Russian threat. That's why they needed NATo membership in the first place. They would essentially become buffer territories for European safety with no meaningful military protection.

Sanctions:
When will all the luxury brands and fashion houses stop selling or withdraw from Russia? These brands are hugely popular. I’m thinking:
Chanel
YSL
Gucci
LV
Valentino etc