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Refugees

France and UK at Odds Over Visa Rules for Ukrainian Refugees

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

French interior minister Gerald Darmanin yesterday expressed "inhumane" frustration over the UK's visa requirements for Ukrainian refugees trying to come to the UK from Calais. Darmanin said he had asked Home Secretary Priti Patel to establish a consular presence in Calais to process refugees' paperwork and issue visas. However, Patel insisted that nobody had been turned away, and that the UK is providing support to Ukrainian families in Calais.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Dominic Raab defended the UK's visa rules, suggesting that opening the door to all refugees without visas would undermine popular support for Ukraine and create security risks. Raab estimated that up to 200,000 Ukrainians could come to the UK through the family dependents route, while the humanitarian route remains uncapped.

Key Takeaways:

  • French interior minister Gerald Darmanin described the UK's visa requirements as "inhumane" for Ukrainian refugees in Calais.
  • Darmanin asked Home Secretary Priti Patel to establish a consular presence in Calais to process refugees' paperwork and issue visas.
  • Patel insisted that nobody has been turned away and that the UK is providing support to Ukrainian families in Calais.
  • Justice Secretary Dominic Raab defended the UK's visa rules, citing security risks and potential undermining of popular support for Ukraine.
  • Raab estimated that up to 200,000 Ukrainians could come to the UK through the family dependents route.
  • The humanitarian route for Ukrainians fleeing persecution remains uncapped.
  • The UK has provided £220 million of humanitarian support for Ukraine and countries taking refugees.

Statistics:

  • £220 million: The amount of humanitarian support provided by the UK for Ukraine and countries taking refugees.
  • 200,000: Estimated number of Ukrainians who could come to the UK through the family dependents route.
  • 150:reported number of Ukrainian refugees turned away at Calais according to some reports. (Note: This number is disputed by Patel and Raab)
  • Uncapped: The humanitarian route for Ukrainians fleeing persecution.

Sources:

  • Europe 1 radio
  • BBC's Sunday Morning programme
  • ITV News
  • The Daily Telegraph (no specific date mentioned)

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