Ukraine: Wales to offer £4m to assist humanitarian effort

The Welsh government is to make £4m available to assist with the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

First Minister Mark Drakeford made the announcement as he answered an emergency question in the Senedd.

Speaking with a Ukrainian flag displayed in the debating chamber, he said the Welsh NHS is also looking at making medical supplies available.

"The people of Wales are appalled at the invasion of Ukraine," he said.

"We will do everything we can to support the Ukrainian people. Wales is open to provide a welcome and safety to those fleeing war and persecution."

Senedd members from across the Welsh Parliament's four parties were united in horror at the events in Ukraine.

Mr Drakeford welcomed UK government moves to extend visa rules for Ukrainian refugees, but added "there's more that can and should be done".

He said he has asked the prime minister for a "simple, fast, safe and legal route for sanctuary", with biometric requirements to be lifted, and for a deadline for the EU settlement family permit scheme to be extended from 29 March.

Dylan Jones and his wife, from Corwen, Denbighshire, are in a hotel in Romania where they have just been reunited with his sister-in-law and her four-year-old son after they fled Kyiv.

"They had been hiding in underground car parks in Kyiv initially, before they got to the border - so they're obviously, totally exhausted," said Dylan, adding "their lives have been shattered".

"It's really, really terrible experience for all Ukrainian people, and especially for little boy who is just four years old," added his wife, who does not wish to be named.

Because Dylan's wife, who is a settled Ukrainian that has lived in the UK for eight years, and even speaks Welsh, is not a British citizen, the couple were unsure if her family will be allowed back into the UK.

On Thursday the UK government said a scheme allowing close relatives of Ukrainian people settled in the UK will be widened to include adult parents, grandparents, children over 18 and siblings.

Speaking before Home Secretary Priti Patel announced the plans in the Commons, Dylan's wife said: "The first question [my sister] asked me was 'will we go with you to Wales?' and I was crying. I couldn't say that we are not allowed to take you to Wales with us. I feel so useless."

Dylan added: "I've rang the immigration hotline for Ukrainians twice today, just to come for confirmation, and each time they've said 'No, it's British nationals only' - so there is a lot of misinformation going about."

In the Senedd Mr Drakeford spoke in response to an emergency question tabled by Labour Alyn and Deeside MS Jack Sargeant.

The backbencher said the events in Ukraine are "clearly a war crime, and Putin is a war criminal".

Conservative Senedd member Sam Kurtz said it was "absolutely incumbent that we keep a welcome in the hillside for those Ukrainians who take refuge here in Wales until they feel it is safe for them to return to their homeland".

Mr Drakeford said ministers will meet representatives of the Welsh Local Government Associations and others on Wednesday to ensure they are "pooling our resources to do everything we can to be in the best position possible to offer help and sanctuary to those people who may come to this country".

Heledd Fychan, for Plaid Cymru, said the "invasion represents an attempt at genocide against Ukrainian nation".

"We are urging the UK government to waive visa rules for all Ukrainian refugees, but all that should be applied generally to others fleeing war."

Mr Drakeford supported comments from Labour MS Mike Hedges that no Russian team should be able to take part in any international sport tournament.

He also agreed with Welsh Liberal Democrat Jane Dodds, who called for the Nationality and Borders bill to be "paused", which would treat refugees different depending on how they arrive in the UK.

She said it could have "dangerous consequences". Mr Drakeford said the UK government should reconsider the proposals in the bill, which he said would create a "two-tier system".

Welsh counsel general Mick Antoniw, who speaks Ukrainian and grew up in a Ukrainian family, was given a round of applause after he spoke.

"The war in Ukraine has turned into a war against the people of Ukraine. And all our thoughts are with those people who have taken up arms to defend democracy and to fight for freedom, including members of my own family," he said.

Later, in first minister's questions in the Senedd, Andrew RT Davies, Welsh Conservative Senedd leader, said "it is sorrow, hurt and disbelief" that many feel at the actions that are unfolding.

He said: "On these benches we want to see as warm a welcome as possible extended from Wales to refugees coming from the Ukraine, because they deserve that safety and deserve that sanctuary."

The first minister said he had received a briefing from the National Security Adviser "to make sure we have the best possible information available to us for our planning".

He said Wales will work "as closely as we can… with other parts of the United Kingdom to make sure that Wales plays the fullest part we can".

Mark Drakeford said it is "hard to know at this movement" how many will wish to move beyond countries that border Ukraine.

Asked by Mr Davies if a "new model" will be needed to deal with the "magnitude of what we are facing", Mr Drakeford said "I think we will need a different system".

On Tuesday UK government Wales Office minister David TC Davies said: "The government want to show their absolute commitment and support to the Ukrainian people.

"Immigration law is complex and in a matter of days the Home Office have come forward with the most incredible package to support the people who are fleeing this atrocity that's been carried out against them."