[News] EU will let all Ukrainian refugees stay for 3 years - far more generous than UK

[D.CraZy]

EU countries have granted Ukrainian refugees a far more generous offer than the UK's scheme - confirming they can stay in a chosen nation for three years.

The Temporary Protection Directive will grant refugees automatic temporary residence in any EU country alongside access to education, healthcare, housing and jobs immediately for up to one year.

The scheme prevents refugees having to apply via long asylum processes. If the conflict continues their status could be extended for a further two years.

It is the first time the EU has ever invoked this procedure, and will be welcomed by many charities and campaigners as one million people have fled Ukraine since Russia's invasion last Thursday.

Earlier this week, the UK Government were forced to bow down to mounting pressure and offer a better humanitarian scheme to Ukrainian refugees.

On Sunday Boris Johnson promised to be "very generous" to refugees seeking safety. But failed to offer protection to people's parents, siblings or adult children.

Ylva Johansson European Commissioner for Home Affairs said: “I must say that I’m so impressed by all the efforts from all the EU citizens who are working there as volunteers… [who] open their homes for people to come live with them.

“This is a moment to be proud to be European, but this is also a moment for strong decisions.”

Ms Johansson called the quick adoption of the protection rules a “historic result” and said “the EU stands united to save lives”.

The European Commission has already promised at least 500 million euros (£414 million) in humanitarian aid for the refugees.

Ms Johansson pointed to nations like Poland, where the po[CENSORED]tion has gone out of its way to be welcoming to the refugees, as an example for others to follow.

“They need financial support now because they’re going to have to find accommodation for people to have to find schools for the children,” she said.

The news comes as Putin claimed his invasion is "going according to plan", sparking fears of a huge humanitarian crisis.

Putin accused Ukraine forces of taking "thousands of foreign citizens hostage" and using civilians as "human shields". He provided no evidence for these claims.

As it stands, Brits who have elderly relatives and siblings caught up in the Ukraine crisis still cannot bring them to safety here in the UK.

Downing Street has confirmed people living in the UK can bring “adult parents, grandparents, children over 18 and siblings” in addition to those who had previously been allowed.

But those measures will not come into effect until Friday March 4.

Family members of British nationals can only apply in Lviv, Ukraine; Rzeszow, Poland; Hungary, Moldova or Romania.

THE SITE