Evening Standard Comment: Simplify visas to help those fleeing Ukraine

Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK, Vadym Prystaiko, has praised Evening Standard readers for helping to raise more than £250,000 as part of our joint Ukraine appeal with The Independent. These funds will flow into the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal, whose total now exceeds £100 million.

From the harrowing stories and images emanating from Ukraine, it is clear why the money is so urgently needed. The shelling of civilians — including those fleeing in what they were assured were humanitarian corridors — has shocked the world.

A no-fly zone may be off the table for now but we must continue to supply Kyiv with military support. Mr Prystaiko has thanked Britain for providing anti-tank missiles but asked for more defensive weaponry. We should heed that call. We must also accelerate and simplify the visa process for Ukrainians wishing to find refuge here.

As of Saturday morning, only about 50 had received visas under the scheme for those with family links in Britain. The Government needs to sort this out. The British public is keen to play its part in helping Ukrainians. Money, weaponry and visas are three critical tools in our arsenal.