HUNDREDS of thousands of Ukrainian refugees are pouring out of the country with one question on their minds: where to next?

Displaced people are piling into trains and cars, or even walking to Ukraine's borders.

Which countries are accepting refugees from Ukraine?

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, after weeks of escalating threats from President Vladimir Putin.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was defiant, vowing to stand his ground and take up arms against Russia.

Men aged 18 to 60 were forced to stay behind and defend the country. Children, older men and most women are seeking safety elsewhere.

United Kingdom

There are two routes for Ukrainians to gain entry to the UK.

Ukrainian émigrés with British family members can come to the UK, Priti Patel told the Home Office on February 28, 2022.

Normally, the definition of a “family member” for visa purposes includes domestic partners, spouses and children.

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But in light of the Russian invasion, Ukrainians settled in the UK can bring parents, grandparents, adult children and siblings into the country as well.

The Home Office is also establishing a sponsorship option for Ukrainian refugees with no family in the UK.

Individual Ukrainians can partner with a British citizen or a community group or business to gain a visa this way.

The family and sponsorship visa routes could bring 200,000 Ukrainian refugees into the UK.

🔵 Read our Russia – Ukraine live blog for the very latest updates

Poland

Ukraine’s north-western neighbour is bearing the brunt of the country's mass exodus.

"We will accept as many refugees as will be needed,” Poland’s deputy minister of defence, Marcin Ociepa, said.

Refugees can enter Poland at will thanks to an EU visa waiver for Ukrainians that’s been in place since 2017.

The Polish government also suspended COVID-19 testing and vaccination requirements for all Ukrainians.

Refugees can stay in Poland for 90 days, after which they can apply for temporary residence.

The European Union

Ukraine is not a member of the European Union but it has close ties to the multinational group.

The EU's 2017 visa waiver agreement with Ukraine means citizens can enter any member state at will and stay for 90 days.

Now, the EU's interior ministers have agreed that the displaced do not need to apply for asylum. They may receive temporary protection for as long as three years.

As many as 650,000 émigrés have already entered EU countries.

"We have to prepare for millions," EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson said.

Among the EU's 27 member states are Ukraine's neighbours Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Hungary.

Moldova

Moldova is Ukraine's other non-EU neighbour. An estimated 88,000 Ukrainians and counting have found safety within its borders.

The small country has experienced its own exodus, haemorrhaging 1 million citizens since 1991.

That mass emigration has led to a labour shortage, making the influx of Ukrainians a boon – provided Russia does not invade Moldova next.

Canada

Canada is expediting visa and work permit applications for Ukrainians in light of the Russian invasion.

“We need to speed things up, expedite people fleeing the tyranny that Russia has put on Ukraine,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford said.

The country also created a new hotline specifically for Ukrainians with immigration questions.

United States of America

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said resettling in the US is possible.

"There are refugee programs that they would have to, of course, apply for," she said.

But for now, the US is focusing on helping to relocate refugees in nations closer to Ukraine, where they may have family.

President Joe Biden has pledged $54million in aid for the displaced.

The US is home to over a million citizens of Ukrainian descent.

Other Nato states

In addition to Canada, the UK and the US, other Nato members are welcoming Ukrainian refugees to their countries despite not being part of the EU.

• Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama agreed to follow the EU's lead by imposing Albanian sanctions on Russia.
• Iceland is prioritising Ukrainian visa applications.
• Montenegro is welcoming displaced people and imposing sanctions against Russia.
• North Macedonia is also agreeing to take refugees.
• Turkey, which shares a sea border with Ukraine, is accepting refugees.

All you need to know about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Everything you need to know about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine…

• Why is Russia invading Ukraine?
• Will the UK go to war?
• How can I join the Ukraine foreign legion?
• What can I do to help Ukraine?
• Who is Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy?
• How much gas does the UK get from Russia?
• Is Russia a part of Nato?
• Does Russia have nuclear weapons?
• Why is Ukraine not in Nato?
• How big is the Russian army?
• What is Article 5 of the Nato treaty?
• What is the Minsk agreement?
• Which countries were in the Soviet Union?

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