The Russian Invasion of Ukraine
On the 24th February 2022, Russia, led by President Vladimir Putin, declared war on Ukraine and ordered an assault on the country with the aim of removing the democratically elected Ukrainian Government led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Darren condemned the invasion of Ukraine and supported the action taken by the UK Government, the EU, NATO and the international community in isolating the Russian Government both financially and politically as a direct consequence of its actions.
He remains concerned that the UK Government is not taking the issue of refugees being caused by the conflict seriously enough and, alongside his Labour colleagues, would like further clarification from the Home Office about what paths to safe sanctuary are available to those fleeing the invasion.
Please view Darren’s immediate response to the Russian invasion as follows:
Dear Constituent,
Thank you for contacting me about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. I hope that this email finds you well during this particularly distressing time.
I fully support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and I condemn President Putin’s unprovoked and unjustifiable attack. These actions are a flagrant breach of international law and will have tragic and horrendous consequences. I know people both in our communities and across the country will be feeling worried and uncertain, and I know that Ukrainians and Russians here in the UK will be worrying for friends and family at home.
With the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and support for separatists in the Donbas region, President Putin has sought to undermine Ukraine and disrupt its path to democracy. I believe it is right that Britain has stepped up defensive military support to Ukraine in the face of aggression over recent months and that this is continuing. This is about giving the Ukrainians practical assistance to be able to defend themselves, alongside our economic and diplomatic support.
Sadly, as desperate Ukrainians flee war, the Home Office is still applying normal visa restrictions to everyone except those with immediate family in the UK. This excludes those who may have siblings, grandchildren, grandparents, and wider family. In addition to widening the family route for Ukrainians, the Government should also work urgently with European countries to provide a simple sanctuary route so the UK can do its bit alongside others to help.
President Putin’s actions are part of a wider pattern of aggression by Russia, from Belarus to the Balkans. He is trying to turn back the clock and to re-establish Russian force as a means of dominance over Eastern Europe. Therefore, I support measures that have been taken to strengthen the security of NATO allies in response to growing threats and we must now go further to reinforce these defences.
However, we must also strengthen our defences at home. For years, the Government has been warned about the role of dirty money in the UK from corrupt elites who sustain and profit from the Putin regime. Britain has become a destination of choice for kleptocrats seeking to hide their ill-gotten wealth under our noses.
I believe we need: serious reform of Companies House to crack down on shell companies; a registration of overseas entities bill to lift the veil on the true nature of ownership of property in the UK; and action on the Russia Report, which has had none of its recommendations fully implemented more than 18 months after it was published. It should not have taken the invasion of Ukraine for the Government to act.
Ukrainians want a democratic future and they should be able to determine their own political destiny. President Putin’s actions are in direct contradiction with the anti-imperialist principle that sovereign nations are free to choose their own allies and their own way of life.
Last year the people of Bristol embraced refugees from Afghanistan fleeing tyranny and we will now welcome Ukrainians seeking refuge from Russian aggression.
Please do let me know if you require any further support.
Yours sincerely,
Darren
Darren Jones MP
Member of Parliament for Bristol North West