Priti Patel: UK cannot waive visas
Responding to calls for visas to be waived in order to aid refugees leaving Ukraine, the Home Secretary said it was not possible due to security issues.
The Home Secretary added: “Given this and also Putin’s willingness to do violence on British soil, and in keeping with our approach which we have retained consistently throughout all emergency evacuations including in Afghanistan, we cannot suspend any security or biometric checks on people we welcome to our country.
“We have collective duty to keep the British people safe and this approach is based on the strongest security advice.”
Second UK aid plane departs for Ukraine
Health Secretary Sajid Javid, has confirmed that a second plane carrying humanitarian aid, has left for Ukraine.
The aircraft left at 7am on Tuesday, carrying items such as personal protective equipment, the Health Secretary told MPs.
He added: “I share the horror and disgust of almost everyone within this House, this country and the whole world at the unprovoked, unjust and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine by President (Vladimir) Putin last week.
“This appalling act has created a humanitarian emergency and we’re looking at every opportunity to give the people of Ukraine the support they so urgently need.
“On Sunday night we sent almost 50,000 items of medical supplies to Poland via air for onward transport to Ukraine.
“And I can inform the House that another plane departed at 7am this morning with more supplies, including medical equipment and PPE.
“We have all been in awe of the bravery and the heroism shown by the Ukrainian people and rest assured we all stand with them, shoulder to shoulder, in their hour of need.”
Diplomats boycott Sergei Lavrov’s speech
Diplomats at the United National Human Rights Council, staged a mass walk as Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov began his speech on Tuesday.
In the video, dozens can be seen leaving the hall in Geneva in protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Video: Ukrainians attempt to board train out of Kyiv
As Russia continues its brutal assault on Ukraine, further video has emerged of citizens allegedly attempting to a board train leaving the capital, Kyiv.
Ursula von der Leyen: War has returned to Europe
Speaking to the EU Parliament, the Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen stated war has now returned to the continent.
She said: “War has returned to Europe almost 30 years after the Balkan Wars and over half a century after Soviet troops marched into Prague and Budapest, civil defence sirens again went off in the heart of a European capital.
“The destiny of Ukraine is at stake, but our own fate also lies in the balance. We must show the power that lies in our democracies, we must show the power of people that choose their independent path freely and democratically.”
EU ‘will suffer from sanctions’ says Simon Coveney
Ireland’s foreign minister, Simon Coveney said the EU will suffer due to the sanctions placed on Russia.
He said: “The extent of the sanctions that are now in place or being put in place are extraordinary measures that mean that the EU is going to suffer as a result of these sanctions, as well as Russia.
“But I think that’s a sacrifice that the EU is willing to make.
“But I think the humanitarian response that Ireland will need to be central to and part of, I think will also demand a level of solidarity and support and generosity and emotional connection with a country that’s just being torn apart at the moment.”
Truss says Russia becoming ‘global pariah’
British foreign minister Liz Truss has said that Russia is becoming a “global pariah” since Moscow launched an invasion of Ukraine last week and urged countries to isolate it further.
“We are working to squeeze the Putin regime harder and harder by steadily tightening the vice,” Truss told the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council, accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of “violating human rights on an industrial scale”.
“I urge nations to condemn Russia’s appalling actions, and isolate it on the international stage,” she said.
Zelenskyy: EU must prove it stands with us
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has given an impassioned speech in the European Parliament.
He says: “We are fighting for our rights and freedoms, for our lives. We are fighting for survival.
“But we are also fighting to be equal members of Europe. I believe that today we are showing everybody that is exactly what we are – that the EU will be stronger with us.
“Without you, Ukraine will be lonesome. We have proven our strength.
“We have proven that at a minimum thatwe are the same as you are. Prove that you are with us. Prove you will not let us go.
“Prove that you are Europeans, and then life will win over death. Light will win over darkness. Glory to Ukraine.”
Prince Charles: Values of democracy are under attack
The Prince of Wales has said the values of democracy are under attack in
Ukraine in the “most unconscionable way”.
Prince Charles told ITV that “we are in solidarity with all those who are resisting brutal aggression”.
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