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       Priti Patel defends UK visa system for Ukrainian refugees

       Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky will address the Commons today via video link and is expected to plead for more arms and a no-fly zone over Ukraine to be enforced by Nato.

       Mr Zelensky’s address comes as the UK Home Office revealed only 300 visas were granted to Ukrainians out of a total 8,900 applications for its Ukraine Family Scheme.

       Ukrainians coming to the UK told The Independent they face “total chaos” as they try to apply to join relatives in Britain under the Home Office’s bespoke visa scheme, as Downing Street contradicted Priti Patel’s pledge to expand the route.

       Ministers have been accused of “badly letting Ukrainians down” after it emerged that those who have fled the Russian conflict are having to travel for hours and in some cases wait for days before they can make an application.

       Elsewhere, Boris Johnson will today host leaders of the Visegrad Four of central European nations – the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia – to discuss the Ukrainian conflict.

       Recommended Boris Johnson says Russian sanctions are ‘meaningless until properly implemented’, as MPs to debate new laws Boris Johnson unveils six-point plan to help Ukraine amid criticism of UK help for refugees Why Boris Johnson was left red-faced by the UK’s failure to sanction Putin’s allies Don’t underestimate the west, Wallace warns Putin as Boris Johnson launches six-point plan to save Ukraine

       Key Points Zelensky to address MPs in Commons today Ukrainian refugees applying to join relatives under Home Office’s visa scheme face ‘total chaos’ Boris Johnson to host leaders of the Visegrad Four Support our campaign to make Refugees Welcome

       Show latest update 1646724883 Russia’s nuke claims likely ‘retrospective justification’ for Ukraine invasion, says MoD

       The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said Russia was “likely” ramping up claims Ukraine is developing nuclear or biological weapons as “retrospective justification” for its invasion.

       Vladimir Putin said shortly before the invasion that Ukraine was preparing nuclear weapons, in what was tantamount to preparation for an attack on Russia.

       Russian media on Saturday cited an unnamed source on Sunday as saying that Ukraine was close to building a plutonium-based “dirty bomb” nuclear weapon, although the source cited no evidence.

       “Since the end of February there has been a notable intensification of Russian accusations that Ukraine is developing nuclear or biological weapons,” an MoD statement said.

       “These narratives are long standing but are currently likely being amplified as part of retrospective justification for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.”

       Ukraine’s government has said it had no plans to develop nuclear weapons, having given up its nuclear arms in 1994 following the break-up of the Soviet Union.

       Liam James 8 March 2022 07:34

       1646723121 Crackdown on dirty money will need second bill, says Priti Patel

       Boris Johnson’s government is drawing up fresh legislation to crack down on “dirty money” held by Russian oligarchs because the bill being pushed through parliament won’t be enough, the home secretary has said.

       MPs passed the Economic Crime Bill on Monday evening, after planned reforms moved up the government’s list of priorities following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It will now be scrutinised by the House of Lords.

       Adam Forrest has more:

       Crackdown on dirty money will need second bill, says Priti Patel ‘We simply cannot get all the measures in right now’, admits home secretary

       Stuti Mishra 8 March 2022 07:05

       1646722641 Ukraine’s president Zelensky to address MPs in Commons

       Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is set to give an unprecedented virtual address to the House of Commons today.

       Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said he had granted the request for Mr Zelensky to read a statement on the invasion by Russia in the chamber at 5pm GMT.

       Formal parliamentary business will be suspended at the end of Tuesday afternoon while MPs watch Mr Zelensky on screens installed overnight above either side of the Commons chamber.

       Adam Forrest has more:

       Ukraine’s president Zelensky to address MPs in Commons on Tuesday Parliamentarians ‘want to hear directly from president’, says Speaker Lindsay Hoyle

       Stuti Mishra 8 March 2022 06:57

       1646722203 Boris Johnson to host leaders of the Visegrad Four

       Prime minister Boris Johnson will host leaders of the Visegrad Four of central European nations - the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia - to discuss the Ukrainian conflict today.

       Meanwhile, the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is set to give an unprecedented virtual address to the House of Commons today.

       This comes as Mr Johnson continues his diplomatic offensive to encourage Western leaders to punish Russia for the invasion. However, he has consistently ruled out the UK policing Ukrainian skies, arguing it would mean shooting down Russian planes.

       Stuti Mishra 8 March 2022 06:50

       1646721621 UK help for Ukrainian refugees appears grudging – be prepared for repeated U-turns

       The government’s approach to Ukrainian refugees has been strongly criticised, writes Andrew Woodcock.

       Although Boris Johnson claims the UK is taking a “very generous and open approach” towards the 1.7 million Ukrainians who have fled their country to escape Putin’s war, this is far from self-evident.

       Reports over the weekend suggested that only 50 visas had been handed out to Ukrainian under a new scheme. The prime minister said on Monday that the figure was wrong, but he could not provide a more accurate number.

       It is understood that around 10,000 Ukrainians had applied to come to the UK by Monday.

       Politics Explained: UK help for Ukrainian refugees appears grudging – expect U-turns Britain’s response seems slow and limited compared to the EU – the government will face escalating pressure to amend and extend its offer if it holds this line, argues Andrew Woodcock

       Stuti Mishra 8 March 2022 06:40

       1646720113 Support our campaign to make Refugees Welcome

       The Independent has a proud history of campaigning for the rights of the most vulnerable, and we first ran our Refugees Welcome campaign during the war in Syria in 2015. Now, as we renew our campaign and launch this petition in the wake of the unfolding Ukrainian crisis, we are calling on the government to go further and faster to ensure help is delivered. To find out more about our Refugees Welcome campaign, click here. To sign the petition click here. If you would like to donate then please click here for our GoFundMe page.

       Stuti Mishra 8 March 2022 06:15

       1646719513 Ukrainian refugees face ‘chaos’

       Ukrainian refugees are facing “total chaos” as they try to apply to join relatives in Britain under the Home Office’s bespoke visa scheme, as Downing Street contradicted Priti Patel’s pledge to expand the route.

       Ministers have been accused of “badly letting Ukrainians down” after it emerged that those who have fled the Russian conflict are having to travel for hours and in some cases wait for days before they can make an application to the home secretary’s family migration route.

       Our social affairs correspondent May Bulman reports.

       Ukrainian refugees face ‘chaos’ trying to apply to UK family visa scheme Priti Patel urged to ‘accept that things are going wrong’ as families who have fled Russian conflict forced to travel for hours to attend visa appointments, with some unable to book one at all

       Stuti Mishra 8 March 2022 06:05

       1646717563 Good Morning!

       Good morning and welcome to our rolling coverage of all things UK politics as the Russian invasion of Ukraine enters Day 12

       Stuti Mishra 8 March 2022 05:32