A Ukrainian woman reacts after arriving at the Medyka border crossing, in Poland on Sunday
(Picture: AP)The UK is “likely” to adopt the EU’s open-door policy to Ukrainian refugees, leading Conservative Tom Tugendhat said on Monday.
On Sunday night, the EU announced refugees fleeing the Russian invasion will not have to apply for asylum before entering its 27 EU member states for up to three years.
Britain has only committed to allowing Ukrainians with close family members to enter without facing visa restrictions and immigration minister Kevin Foster was condemned for saying those fleeing war could apply to come into the country under the seasonal worker scheme to pick fruit.
But Mr Tugendhat, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said ministers expected the government to follow a similar approach in the coming days.
He told BBC Radio 4: “I’ve been speaking to ministers this morning and I can tell you there are many who are hopeful that this will be something that’s reviewed in the coming days.”
Asked about the EU’s announcement that countries would grant asylum to Ukrainian refugees for up to three years, Mr Tugendhat added: “I suspect that’s likely to be where we end up to be honest.
“I think there’s a definite opportunity to be generous.”
Home Secretary Priti Patel is believed to be preparing to address further measures to support refugees when she takes questions in the Commons this afternoon.
On Sunday Boris Johnson said the UK would be “very generous” to Ukrainian refugees. He said those fearing persecution would be allowed to reunite with family or for “other purposes”.
Previously only Ukrainians who were considered dependents of those already in the UK or had work visas were being guaranteed entry.
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper branded the Government’s policy “immoral”.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said on Monday he has “no doubt” that Britain will do more to help.
“Our track record so far, both with Afghans and the Arap scheme, and indeed with the Hong Kong nationals who were suffering persecution, has been very generous,” he said.
“There’s no reason to doubt we won’t continue on that path.”
Haunting images of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the conflict have been broadcast around the world.
Psychotherapist mother-of-four Svetlana Panina, 43, who was forced to flee Kyiv said her family had been on a train packed with women and children for 12 hours when it stopped because of gridlock.
“My children begged to take them out of Kyiv,” she said.
“We had no electricity.”
