The UK’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine saw over 200,000 visas being issued and more than 150,000 Ukrainians arriving in the UK. The British public mobilised to support the Ukrainian refugees arriving in the UK, offering their homes as sanctuary and standing in solidarity with communities in need. Yet, as we enter the second year of the humanitarian refugee schemes supporting Ukrainians and with no imminent end to the conflict in Ukraine, the future of the Ukrainian refugees in Britain is increasingly uncertain.
Aspen UK, in collaboration with Opora, is hosting this timely discussion on the future of Ukrainian refugees as we approach the end of the three-year visa period. We will be bringing together policymakers, community advocates, and people with lived experience for a discussion about this complex problem. What options will be available to Ukrainians once their visas expire? What are the potential benefits and challenges of providing Ukrainian refugees with greater clarity and flexibility for long-term settlement in the UK? And, how can Ukrainian refugees navigate and reconcile the uncertainties regarding their eventual return or long-term settlement?
Doors open at 18:00 with the panel discussion starting at 18:30 followed by a reception.
Moderator:
Leon Hartwell – Leon is a Senior Associate at LSE IDEAS, part of London School of Economics.
On the panel:
Meredith Kelly – Meredith is the Homes for Ukraine Programme Lead at Reset Communities and Refugees.
Vlad Mykhnenko – Vlad is an Associate Professor of Sustainable Urban Development at the University of Oxford.
Olga Onuch – Olga is a Professor at the Politics Department at the School of Social
Sciences at the University of Manchester.
Maria Romanenko – Maria is a journalist and award-winning activist.