The British government today faces an avalanche of criticism for refusing to relax immigration procedures for Ukrainian refugees and evoking the national security of the United Kingdom.
Following the start of the Russian military operation in Ukraine two weeks ago, most European nations began to receive these people on an expedited basis, but London clarified that it will only receive family members of British citizens who comply with the established visa procedures.
The Minister of Transport, Grant Shapps, admitted Wednesday that of the 22,000 applications received, only 760 visas have been granted, a figure that the leader of the Scottish National Party in the British Parliament, Ian Blackford, described as “shameful”.
According to the opposition politician, the Conservative government offered the most incompetent, bureaucratic and slow response to the issue in Europe.
In his defense, Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised to speed up the process by opening temporary centers in France and other countries to process visa applications in the coming days.
He made it clear, however, that checks on applicants will continue to be carried out to ensure that they meet the requirements set out to protect the UK’s national security.
It would not be right to jeopardize the security of the country and we will not do so, Johnson stressed.
According to the United Nations, more than two million people have left Ukraine since Russian troops entered the country on February 24
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