Ukraine invasion discussion thread - part 9

[cakeorwine]

Because MN only allows 1000 posts and this is fast moving

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4496974-The-Invasion-is-ongoing-Part-8

@Gingerwarthog

Could I ask everyone on the thread (who agrees with this of course) that they consider writing to their MP to ask that they look at the arrangements for supporting Ukrainian refugees to get to the UK? (Eg setting up a temporary consulate in Calais with a Home Office team). It probably takes less time to write an email to your MP than to post a longish post here.

Why would a temp one be better than the embassy ?

UN is reporting more than 360 civilians have been killed in Ukraine

.

@TheSillyMastiff

Indeed, and everyone saying it's the British customs fault it isn't.

The French authorise onward travel of goods and let them board. Not the UK.

The French are wanting the correct paperwork, but the Netherlands have just said they have temporarily stopped customs paperwork for aid for Ukraine. So all you have to do now, is UK - Netherlands with your goods.

Ever wondered why the French never just let a load of refugees in Calais board a boat, be easier for them wouldn't it, but no the UK are in charge of onward travel in Calais to British soil and vice versa.

Some indication that it is UK customs being difficult here: twitter.com/vanmaneuro/status/1500459470702485512?s=20&t=ZD2HorjASwqYvF-ccXKtqA

@Hawkins001
A lot of refugees are reaching Calais and being asked to go to Paris to apply for visas. Yvette Cooper is asking for a Home Office team to go direct to Calais to help organise this.

Why would a temp one be better than the embassy ?

The embassy is in Paris…I assume the thinking is to process applicants at the port of embarkation.

Because the UK is currently asking the refugees - when they get to Calais - to go to Paris to get their visas. Because we live in a stupid, heartless, unkind country and if I knew where to go I would emigrate.

@notimagain

Why would a temp one be better than the embassy ?

The embassy is in Paris…I assume the thinking is to process applicants at the port of embarkation.

Thanks. Apologies everyone if I didn't explain this clearly.

Why would a temp one be better than the embassy ?

Because the embassy is in Paris, they need something in Calais as that is where people are travelling to.

I have less sympathy for the van loads of stuff though.

It's chaos out there, no one in the UK really knows what is needed and we don't need more people driving over unless they can offer accommodation, not just stuff. And the environmental cost. Raising money and sending it over is better on every single level.

@Greattimestroubledtimes

Because the UK is currently asking the refugees - when they get to Calais - to go to Paris to get their visas. Because we live in a stupid, heartless, unkind country and if I knew where to go I would emigrate.

I understand your perspectives, but then once it opens the boarders, then surely for future generations, the same would be expected ? I don't understand all the ramifications, but that's my basic guess

@Alcemeg I do wonder about speculation being a form of entertainment. It does feel voyeuristic to track the war via the news and social media from the relative safety of our homes. But. We do play an important role in being witness to the events and, I hope, in the applying pressure on our decision makers and sending aid in our own ways. In the meantime, we have to process our thoughts and feelings somewhere and that could be perceived as idle speculation but for many I think it's about seeking to understand a horrific situation and being comforted.

I do like these common sense xposts

We've set up temporary VAC centres in Poland - why not in France?

No reason to direct people in to Paris unnecessarily.

Extending their opening hours beyond 3pm might also help.

And get the forms explained in Ukrainian.

@Hillsmakeyoustrong
I understand that, of course! I feel the same way. I just also feel a bit manipulated, and hesitate to add my voice to the choir as I am not 100% sure who or what is conducting it. I am not, by the way, a conspiracy theorist.

@Hawkins001
I respect your point of view but I think this is a time where people are in extreme circumstances (as they were when Kindertransport was set up for example.)

Do we know what the z means on Russia vehicles?

Apparently Russia is again attacking a physics sites with a reactor.

Why would a temp one be better than the embassy ?

After travelling 2,000 miles from Ukraine to Calais to then be told to go to British Embassy in either Paris or Brussels another 400 miles, is just heartless.

Go Yvette Cooper... keep on this. It shames us.

@Tigersonvaseline

Do we know what the z means on Russia vehicles?

Apparently Russia is again attacking a physics sites with a reactor.

Some uncertainty about what the Z is for, but great Twitter thread here on how it is gathering meanings...

twitter.com/kamilkazani/status/1500495309595725831?s=20&t=oaJ8V4XsiE6AzSAS4yI40A

@Alcemeg yes I feel the same

Do we know what the z means on Russia vehicles?

We do. За победу.

Victory

[quote Gingerwarthog]@Hawkins001
I respect your point of view but I think this is a time where people are in extreme circumstances (as they were when Kindertransport was set up for example.)[/quote]
I understand your perspectives too. To be honest without further research, both for and against on the issue of open boarders, I'm not sure what's best, especially with Paris already being a safe haven away from the war.

"Home Office reveals only "around 50" visas have been granted under the Ukraine Family Scheme as of today.

So far 5,535 applications have been submitted online and 2,368 people have booked visa appts to submit applications/biometric data in person"

twitter.com/los_fisher/status/1500503401548898312?s=21

We need to move quicker than this. Invasion was not unexpected and we should have been planning our help for refugees.

Mark Easton
@BBCMarkEaston
In a letter to Priti Patel, French interior minister Gerald Darmanin says that 150 Ukrainian refugees have been turned back at Calais by Border Force officials, accusing the Home Secretary of a "lack of humanity" and a"completely unsuitable" response.

@Greattimestroubledtimes

Because the UK is currently asking the refugees - when they get to Calais - to go to Paris to get their visas. Because we live in a stupid, heartless, unkind country and if I knew where to go I would emigrate.

A shame all the hard cases that clog up social media about "going to fight" couldn't do something more useful and assist refugees in France (for example). A car with 4 spaces might be more useful than a gun you need a manual to find the business end of.