Cllr John Robini, the Mayor of Waverley issued the following statement in support of the people of Ukraine.
“On behalf of Waverley Borough Council, I would like to express our full support and solidarity with the people of Ukraine. We are firmly opposed to this invasion of a sovereign and democratic state by the Russian Federation.
“The shocking violence, bombings and attacks on Ukrainian people and territories contravene the principles of international law, are completely at odds with our shared European values and put at risk all the gains made on our continent since the end of the Second World War. We urge the Russian Federation to immediately withdraw its troops and weaponry.
“I would also like to express our support for those of the Russian people, who are not responsible for this war, and who have bravely spoken out against it – thousands of whom have been arrested by the Russian state for protesting against the illegal invasion.
“Our thoughts are with the Ukrainian people, all those with family and friends in Ukraine, and especially with our Ukrainian colleagues in local and regional government. We hope for a speedy return to peace and security and for Ukraine to remain a free and democratic country.”
Waverley Borough Council will be flying the Ukrainian flag outside the council offices at The Burys as a mark of solidarity.
Government action
The UK government is providing a range of economic, humanitarian and defensive military assistance to Ukraine, and is imposing additional sanctions on Russia and Belarus, including:
- providing additional humanitarian aid for vital medical supplies and other help
- providing defensive military aid to Ukraine, continuing to work with international partners to supply vital weapons to the Ukrainian Armed Forces
- changing the immigration system to support British nationals and their families who usually live in Ukraine, and Ukrainians in the UK and their families
- coordinating with partners on sanctions aimed at starving the Russian government of funds to further its unprovoked war against Ukraine, imposing wide-ranging sanctions on Russian businesses, banks and individuals, including a joint decision by all G7 countries to remove Russian banks from the SWIFT system, in addition to our existing sanctions.
Support for those affected
Advice and support for British nationals with family members in Ukraine, and Ukrainian nationals in Ukraine and the UK along with information on temporary visa concessions is available on the gov.uk website.
Donations
A wide range of charities and NGOs are operating in the region to provide humanitarian aid and are in need of money to help their work. Donations can be made to the Disasters Emergency Committee, a coalition of 15 leading UK charities, which has launched its collective appeal to provide emergency aid and rapid relief to civilians suffering during the conflict.
Charities involved in the Disasters Emergency Committee include the British Red Cross, Oxfam, Unicef, Save the Children and World Vision among others.
Travel
The Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office currently advises against all travel to Ukraine, Russia or Belarus. Their website has separate, updated travel advice and information for Ukraine, Russia and Belarus.
What you can do to help
Please visit the government's website for further information on what you can do to help Ukraine.
Local Sponsorship Scheme for Ukraine
The Local Sponsorship Scheme for Ukraine will match people, charities, businesses and community groups to Ukrainians who do not have established families in the country, so they are able to come the UK. Further information is available on the government's website.