The UK has granted 21,600 visas to Ukrainians who have family links to the UK, Downing Street has said. The Government has also said that 76,200 applications have been opened through the family route, of which 37,400 have been completed and submitted.
The figures were released as Downing Street said it was up to the Ukrainian government to decided what approach it should take for any peace talks with Russia. President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that he is ready to discuss his country’s neutrality in any talks with Moscow.
Below, we look at the latest developments following Vladimir Putin's decision to send Russian troops into Ukraine.
Peace talks with Russia a 'matter for Ukraine'
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman has said Boris Johnson believes that Putin must fail in Ukraine and the sovereignty of Ukraine must be restored.
They added: “Obviously it would be for President Zelensky and the Ukrainian government to decide on the right approach to negotiations. We will support them in that.
“But it is not for the UK or any other country to seek to impose its will on the Ukrainian government as to what it should accept in those negotiations.”
After the White House was forced to clarify remarks by President Joe Biden appearing to call for regime change in Moscow, the Downing Street spokesman said: “It is up to the Russian people who should be governing them.”
Russian military leader says 'invasion a failure'
Russian military leader Commander Igor Girkin has described the invasion on Ukraine as a failure on live TV. He told Russian viewers that Vladimir Putin had failed to achieve strategic success in Ukraine so far.
Speaking on OSN TV, he said: "29 days of 'special military operation' have passed. Nowhere, in any direction, has strategic success been achieved, but only operational successes," MirrorOnline reports.
"Moreover, the enemy is relatively successful in mobilising and beginning to counterattack. "This, of course, Konashenkov never mentions in his reports."
Major General Igor Konashenkov is the chief spokesman for Russia's Ministry of Defence and deliveries regular televised updates of the progress of Russia's invasion. Girkin, a former Russian spy also known as his military alias Igor Strelkov, added: "Unfortunately, I can state that my most pessimistic predictions that we will be drawn into a bloody, push and pull, long, exhausting and extremely dangerous war for the Russian Federation, have been fully justified at the moment."
The Express reports that Mr Girkin played a key role in the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and later led the separatist armed forces of the Donetsk People's Republic in eastern Ukraine, The Express reports
Government response to Ukrainian refugee crisis 'too mean' says Sir Keir
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the Government had got the response to the Ukraine refugee crisis “completely wrong” and they have acted “too slowly, they are too mean”. He told LBC radio: “They’ve still got this DIY package really, which is all over the place, where we hear the refugees who were supposed to be on their way here still haven’t got visas and clearance.
“On sanctions, I think they should have gone further and faster. On the other hand, I have, on a number of occasions in the House of Commons, made it clear that politically the United Kingdom stands united in the face of Russian aggression.
“I do think there are times in history where it’s the role of the Leader of the Opposition to show the unity of purpose when it comes to something as significant as this.”
'Up to Russian people who rules Russia'
The Education Secretary said it was up to the Russian people who governs their country when asked whether he supported US President Joe Biden saying Vladimir Putin must not be allowed to remain as Russian president.
Speaking to Sky News, Nadhim Zahawi said: “Both the White House and the President have been clear on this. We are in lockstep with them that it is up to the Russian people to decide who governs them and the future of their country.”
Asked whether he supported Mr Biden saying Mr Putin should not remain in power, Mr Zahawi said: “No, what I would say is it is up to the Russian people. I think the Russian people are pretty fed up, not only because they are watching their friends – and some of them have family in Ukraine – being attacked by the Putin regime – clearly war crimes have been committed because they are targeting innocent civilians, in civilian areas.
“But I think President Biden is right to say that Putin has no place in the Ukraine. They have to make sure that they withdraw from Ukraine because it is an illegal invasion of the Ukraine – I think he is absolutely right in that.”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Joe Biden’s comments about Vladimir Putin’s position were “not helpful”. The White House scrambled to row back Mr Biden’s unscripted declaration that Vladimir Putin “cannot remain in power”, insisting he was not calling for a regime change.
Sir Keir told LBC radio: “Not helpful, to say something, to row back – big thing to say, for obvious reasons.” The Labour leader said the Ukraine situation is “thoroughly depressing” and, following the end of the Cold War, “I didn’t think in my lifetime we would see Russian tanks going into a European country”.
Humanitarian aid
Britain and Australia are combining to send humanitarian aid for Ukrainians displaced by the war in their country. The first of two chartered flights carrying hygiene kits, solar lights, kitchen sets and blankets along with other basic necessities will leave for Poland on Tuesday.
The assistance will be distributed on the ground by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the two nations are working together to support people who have had their lives destroyed by Russia’s “brutal, unprovoked invasion”.
She said: “We call on Russia to enable safe humanitarian access and safe passage for people to flee the violence.”
'Public money in UK should not fund Putin's war machine'
Public sector bodies are being urged to check if they have any contracts with Russian or Belarussian companies and, if possible, cancel them and switch suppliers. The Cabinet Office has issued guidance to public bodies – including hospitals, councils and Whitehall departments – advising them on what they should do.
Cabinet Office minister Steve Barclay said: “Public money should not fund (Vladimir) Putin’s war machine. We are asking hospitals, councils and other organisations across the public sector to urgently look at all the ways they can go further to sever their commercial ties to Russia.
“The Government will continue to work closely with these organisations, ensuring they are able to take the necessary steps as quickly as possible, including taking legal routes where necessary.”
Nadhim Zahawi: My family had experience with Saddam Hussein
Nadhim Zahawi drew comparisons between his family’s time spent under Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and the actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Education Secretary, asked on Sky News whether he accepted US President Joe Biden’s definition of Mr Putin as a “butcher”, said: “I think war crimes have been committed in the Ukraine, there is no doubt in my mind – the evidence is clear on that.
“It is right to collect that evidence because it is also important… my family had experience with Saddam Hussein.
“It is important that despots and dictators understand that there will be a reckoning, and that reckoning will come through the international criminal court in The Hague, as we’ve seen in Bosnia and other parts of the world.
“It is really important. This is not something that should be taken lightly, that someone can go into a country illegally and start bombing civilians and feel that there is no response from the global community.
“In many ways, the coming together of the world in this way has sent a very clear message to any dictator that they are not going to be able to get away with it in 2022.”
