UK responds to France’s claim, says it will only accept ‘genuine refugees’ from Ukraine war

The British deputy prime minister, Dominic Raab, affirmed this Sunday that the United Kingdom will only accept “genuine refugees” from the war of Ukraineafter France has criticized that London denies the passage through Calais of some 150 Ukrainians without a visa.

“Look, if we just open the doors, not only are we not benefiting the people who need it, the genuine refugees, but I think we’re going to undermine popular support on this issue, and I think that’s not the right thing to do.” Raab told the BBC.

“We need to make sure that we act on behalf of those who need our support”added the deputy prime minister, who He assured that the United Kingdom plans to welcome up to 200,000 Ukrainians through family reunification with people who are already in the country.

He also noted that Ukrainians seeking refuge on British soil can follow the “humanitarian route, which has no limitations.”

The French Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, has demanded an immediate solution from London to allow a visa to be granted to Ukrainians who have gone to the port of Calais to cross the English Channel.

Of the nearly 400 Ukrainians who have arrived there so far, about 150 are blocked due to lack of permits, said Darmanin, who criticizes that the message from London for these people is that they go to the consulates in Paris or Brussels to apply for visas.

“Enough is enough!”, snapped in an interview broadcast by CNews and Europe 1 the minister, who defended that “We must do away with the finicky bureaucracy” of the British.

Questioned about this situation, raab He maintained that the British government “will work with the United Nations and other agencies, and also with individuals, companies and charities” to help refugees.

“We have offered 220 million pounds (265 million euros) in humanitarian aid that will go directly to the Ukrainians, but also to those countries that host refugees.”, said the also British justice minister.

“In these conflict situations, most people tend to want to stay in their country of birth and origin, or go to a nearby country, in order to return. I think this is what we can expect with Ukraine.” Raab added.

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