Minister: 'Not Everything Russian Is Bad'

Jersey's Deputy Chief Minister has called on islanders to remember many Russian people do not support President Vladimir Putin's decision to invade Ukraine.

Senator Lyndon Farnham urged against 'anti-Russian rhetoric', saying we should be mindful of Jersey's Russian community.

"This is not a war of the Russian people, but a war of the Kremlin and Putin. We've seen from the demonstrations that not all Russian citizens are in favour of Putin's actions.

We do have Russian nationals living and abiding with us here in Jersey, and we have a duty of care towards them, so we're very keen to avoid and discourage any islanders from participating in anti-Russian rhetoric because not everything that is Russian is bad.

We have to be mindful of maintaining a balance to protect people who are innocent in these troubles."

Protesters in Moscow, and other cities across Russia, have taken to the streets opposing President Putin's invasion
(Image: Акутагава/WikiMedia)

10 Ukrainian people living in Jersey have asked the government for help putting up family members here while the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues.

On Thursday, Ministers announced a task force had been set up to try and provide 'short-term' accommodation for refugees from Ukraine who already have family ties to Jersey.

A dedicated email address was published for Ukrainian nationals living in Jersey to reach out to the External Relations Department with concerns about family members living in Ukraine.

Senators Lyndon Farnham and Ian Gorst led a briefing on Jersey's response to the Ukraine crisis

Senator Farnham has been giving an update on the response from the first 24 hours since the government offered assistance:

"There have so far been 10 queries from people living here who would like to accommodate close family members temporarily.

There is already a system whereby a close family member of Ukrainian residents can join them in the UK and Jersey and this will be expedited so visas can be issued free of charge within 24 hours of application from any visa application centre."

He added that any Ukrainians in Jersey on a work/study or visiting visa will have their stays temporarily extended, in line with the measures announced in the UK by the Foreign Office.