Mark Drakeford believes Wales has the capacity to help people escaping the violence
FIRST Minister Mark Drakeford said the UK Government is not allowing Wales to aid Ukrainians fleeing the country in today’s (March 8) First Ministers Questions.
In response to a question by Plaid Cymru Leader, Adam Price MS, the First Minister said: “We have a simple, swift, safe and legal route for people wanting to make their way to this country.
“We are simply better placed to be able to do that closer to where those decisions need to be made than somebody sitting in Whitehall.
“The United Kingdom discharges our moral obligation, our moral obligation to do everything we can to help.”
In a statement on Twitter earlier today, Mark Drakeford also said the UK needed to “revisit its policies” and do more to help those fleeing Ukraine.
The Welsh Government has already pledged £4 million in financial and humanitarian aid.
Low-cost airline, WizzAir, have offered to bring 100,000 people to the UK free of charge, and the First Minister has been in contact with Cardiff Airport about bringing Ukrainians to the capital.
“We are of course in conversations with the chief executive and others in the team at the airport, they are on standby right around the clock to be a part of any further discussions,” he said.
Only 300 visas have been accepted by the UK Government, with nearly 600 turned away in Calais due to lack of paperwork.
The First Minister says that UK Ministers want to help those fleeing, but wants to see intentions turned into action.
“Ministers say they want to do everything they can, but we need to see those intentions turned into services on the ground. Accounts from Calais has damaged UK reputation around the world.”
Vigils have been held across Wales over the last few days as the country show support to those fleeing Ukraine.
Last week, a vigil was held outside the Senedd where Adam Price MS, Mick Antoniw MS spoke, and Ukrainians sang their national anthem.
A fundraiser for medical supplies, started by Mr Antoniw raised over £25,000 for medical supplies for Ukraine.
Schools and community groups across Wales have been collecting clothes to send to Ukraine, with thousands of people donating bags full of clothes.
