KINGSTON and Surbiton MP Ed Davey has given the following update to constituents on the situation in Ukraine.

I hope this finds you safe and well.

Like you, I've watched Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine with shock, horror and utter despair for the innocent people of Ukraine.

A terrible human tragedy is unfolding before us, caused by a despicable dictator, President Putin.

The appalling death and destruction and the resulting refugee and humanitarian crisis demands a response from our country, not least to support the astonishing and inspiring bravery of the Ukrainian people.

I was privileged to speak to leading Ukrainian politicians still in Kyiv by Zoom and they are looking to the international community to do more - and I agree.

Standing with Ukraine

From the start, I have been pushing our government for stronger sanctions on Russia, more military support for Ukraine, and a co-ordinated humanitarian response, including offering sanctuary to Ukrainian refugees.

On sanctions, I have been genuinely shocked and angered that the UK has been so far behind the US and EU in sanctioning Russia and Putin's cronies.

Before this crisis, Liberal Democrats had been arguing that we needed new laws to get tough on dirty Russian money in London.

While the Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, is at last bringing in some new rules, they don't go far enough and are being enacted too slowly - with the real danger that super-wealthy Russians linked to Putin will meanwhile move their money elsewhere.

So we must continue to hit the Kremlin where it hurts most. I've proposed an 'oligarch tax' to begin the process of seizing the assets of Putin's cronies who have money and property in the UK, and will continue to challenge Boris Johnson to do far more.

On military aid, I do think the Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, has been doing all he can in the circumstances, and it is also right that we have sent extra troops to our existing small force in Estonia.

However, I have called on the Government to offer far greater military support to our NATO allies in Eastern Europe, and to reverse the Government's proposed cut of 10,000 in the size of the British army.

On refugees, the Government's response so far on accepting Ukrainian refugees has been totally inadequate.

Boris Johnson and Home Secretary, Priti Patel, need to follow the lead of our European neighbours and set up a simple, rapid scheme to resettle Ukrainian refugees in the UK.

Anything less would be a failure of moral leadership and will leave huge numbers of innocent people at risk.

Boris Johnson's Government must also withdraw its Nationality and Borders Bill – currently going through Parliament – because it would criminalise Ukrainians and other refugees coming to the UK seeking asylum.

We must stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and its people.

Over the coming days and weeks, I will do everything in my power to ensure the UK Government is at the forefront of the international coalition against Putin's aggression.

How you can help

There are numerous local and international organisations to which you can donate. Many aid agencies have now set up dedicated funds for Ukraine. Donations are an immediate and effective way to provide support. Here is a list of some of them, should you wish to support them:

Help Ukraine Emergency Appeal

Unicef

Rescue UK

• Please note, this list is not exhaustive.

Getting my help

If you need my help or would like an appointment at my weekly advice surgeries, please get in touch: email me at [email protected] or visit my website for more information.

Please provide your name, full postal address, contact phone number and a brief outline of the issue you would like to raise with me.

I am currently receiving hundreds of enquiries each week and my team and I need to ensure that we treat priority cases first.

Again, please forward this email (or print and post it) to anyone you think might be interested, especially family, friends or neighbours with connections to Ukraine.

With best wishes,

Ed Davey MP