Two refugees who have resettled in Lichfield after fleeing war in Ukraine have met with the city’s MP.
Michael Fabricant visited Nataliia and Oksana along with host Diana Shore today (20th May).
As well as hearing more about their experiences, the Conservative MP also delivered a letter to them from the Prime Minister.
Boris Johnson wrote:
“After hearing of your situation from my colleague Michael Fabricant MP, I wanted to offer you a warm welcome to the UK and the wonderful constituency of Lichfield.
“I know that you have come to the UK under extremely difficult circumstances, however, I do hope you are settling in well and are receiving all the support you need.
“I would also be grateful if you would pass on my gratitude to your host, Diane Shore. I have been deeply moved by the generosity shown by so many people across the country who are opening up their homes to those in need.
“I trust that we will again see a peaceful, sovereign and independent Ukraine. However, I do hope that, in the meantime, you are able to enjoy the time you spend with us in the UK.
“Let me assure you that nothing is off the table when it comes to the UK’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and indeed the desire of its people to live in peace, democracy and free from foreign bullying.
“Putin must fail. I can assure you the UK Government, standing alongside our friends in Ukraine and allies around the world, using all possible means at its disposal, is urgently engaged in ensuring he does.”
Boris Johnson
Mr Fabricant said Nataliia had told him how the Prime Minister was regarded as a “special hero” in her homeland.
“Diana, Nataliia’s host, asked whether Boris would sign a photograph for Nataliia and in the end he not only did this, but also wrote a personal letter to her.”
“I was so pleased to meet Nataliia and Oksana today and hear that they both received their visas relatively quickly – one in ten days, the other in 14 while they were in the safety of the west.
“They are both lovely girls keen to return to Ukraine and rejoin their families and friends when it is safe to do so. I found it quite an emotional meeting and am so grateful to Diana Shore and the kind people from Lichfield and throughout the West Midlands who are hosting these refugees.
“Nataliia told me of the cruelty of Russian soldiers. Anyone they capture is stripped and if found with a tattoo of an eagle or other symbol which they think is patriotic, is executed by the road side there and then.
“She was really worried and upset about the fate of the brave soldiers still fighting against impossible odds in the steelworks of Mariupol.”
Michael Fabricant
As well as hosting Nataliia, Diana also hosts a Facebook site coordinating homes for Ukrainians in the UK.
She said:
“There is a lovely warm Ukrainian community developing in Lichfield and other parts of the country.
“My Facebook site invites people to share their home with a Ukrainian guest for six to 18 months. The Government gives support of £350 per month, but Ukrainians are very independent and seek their own work locally or often bring work with them so they can work remotely on their computers.
“The Ukrainian national character is one of neatness, quietness, and respect so they are a joy to host.
“Their love for their country means they are looking forward to returning home when it is safe to do so.”
Diana Shore
