Yesterday, I stated the reasons I like living in Ukraine. It may seem odd for me to say that the UK government’s decision to refuse visas for Ukrainian refugees who sought extensions. However, there are many reasons to.
So, again, the UK has refused many Ukrainians who have made Britain their home since 2022. I can even testify anecdotally, as I know families from Mariupol who have been denied visa extension, despite the fact that they have nothing back home, a child at school, another going to university, etc.
They have also released a map saying parts of western Ukraine and even Kyiv itself are safer now. This is absurd. In these regions, Lviv, Volyn, Rivne, Zhytomyr, and obviously Kyiv, attacks are increasing. I even know someone whose house was hit in a village in Rivne oblast recently. They are using it as an excuse to send back Ukrainians, presumably part of the government’s efforts to give in to the rise of Reform UK and look tough on immigration. It is also because the Home Office is a uniquely cruel institution, not to mention inept.
“But Joe”, you say, “You praised life in Ukraine? You chose to live there?” Sure, life for me, and much of it, was based on my life before the war. I, however, can leave and return whenever I want. I have a British passport, which, while not as strong as it used to be (thanks Brexit), I can go back to England when I want or go to many countries with ease. I also took the deliberate choice to come back, and I have the means to afford to live in a safe place. Many Ukrainians will find it financially harder to do so with the increased rent prices, the lack of suitable, affordable family accommodation, and the lack of government support for those in need (not that UK gave much in terms of financial support or any to Ukrainian refugees, compared to many EU nations).
“But Joe, the UK is struggling, maybe they can go elsewhere”, you say. Well, these people made a conscious choice to come to the UK, which was a much harder process than it was to come to Europe. Many chose the UK because of family or other connections, because of the language, and because many loved the UK and wanted to be part of our country. Some are more patriotic and contribute more than many native born Brits! Who are we to deny that? DO we not want people who love our country to move there? “But, Joe, I read this story about an ungrateful Ukrainian who did X, Y or Z….” just stop it, that’s just media nonsense to sell stories, and 99/100 it’s made up or exaggerated (I was in one of these stories, for example…but that’s another story).
The UK is also in dire straits, and immigration is a key solution to boost spending, to increase our tax base, and to increase productivity. Ukrainians are hardworking people who want to learn the language and contribute. They are the model immigrant, even for the most conservative person.
In reality, Ukraine isn’t safe. The missiles could hit any of us at any time. They have the range, they have flown over Zakarpattia, even if they don’t strike it frequently. Plus, you have: conscription, curfews, daily reminders of the war, sirens, border queues, overburdened schools and hospitals in some areas, poverty in rural areas, and just the constant threat of death and war. If you had a child and if you could live in the UK, if you knew that if you returned you may not leave, or that your child will grow up without a parent, if you had built a life over three years, with a job, friends, new connections, had gotten used to our weird island country, why should that be taken away from you? I know this isn’t a new problem; other refugees struggle with the home office, and my heart goes out to them as well. If you extend a helping hand, you can’t push them out when you feel like it. At least wait until the war is fully over. I could maybe understand, even if I disagree, with refusing those who barely spend time in the UK, or left, or have made no steps to integrate (again, I would be against this too, but just for sake of argument), but refusing people who have done everything to contribute and integrate seems perverse.
It’s a grave insult and another instance of betrayal from the West for Ukraine. And one reason I am increasingly sick of the UK.
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