A prominent figure in Islington’s Ukrainian community has called for the British government to do more to support the war effort and refugees.
Vlodko Pawluk, who heads the Kings Cross based Ukrainian Information Service, told Islington Now that Britain “needs to be in front of the curve and not behind it” adding that in his opinion “we’re responding too late to what Putin does… I think it was a mistake from NATO and Biden to say there would be no boots on the ground and no no-fly zone. I know it’s difficult to implement but they should have said all options are on the table and kept Putin guessing”.
The British government has ruled out a “no-fly zone”. Speaking to Sky News, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said it would mean “British fighter jets shooting down Russian fighter jets”, triggering Article 5 of NATO, which would implicate “the whole of Europe” with the conflict.
Mr Pawluk praised the efforts to arm Ukrainian forces, saying: “I think the NLAWs and Javelins [missiles sent to Ukraine by the UK] are a big help and they’re destroying lots of military hardware.”
Mr Pawluk also told Islington Now that the government needed to do more for Ukrainian refugees. He added “I think the British government should have been more prepared. But to set everyone’s mind at ease… once the war stops, a lot of them will go back. I’m not saying all of them will go back, but the majority will, because they don’t want to live here, they don’t want to live in Germany or Poland. They will return because their husbands are there… the majority of refugees are young families, women, and children”.
The Ukrainian Information Service, based on Liverpool Road, Kings Cross, used to be a printers and publishers service, and was in the process of transitioning to become an archive and library of Ukrainian culture. This has now been put on hold because several of the members have returned to Ukraine to fight.
Now the service is printing leaflets for demonstrations that are occurring most evenings at Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square between 6.30pm and 8pm, and the Ukrainian Association at Holland Park has been accepting donations of clothes and medical supplies and has asked for volunteers to help sort through the items.
Mr Pawluk was candid about what he thought it would take to end the war asking “How much are you prepared to suffer and put up with to put a stop to this? Because, we have a war in mainland Europe which is destroying territory and destroying people and killing people. Me personally, if it means me paying more for my gas bill and my fuel bill then that’s what I’m prepared to do, and you need to ask yourselves are you prepared to do this as well”.
He added “We’re extremely grateful for the support from this country, extremely grateful for the support from the British public, especially the humanitarian aid. And people have come out in their droves and offered help. We can’t thank you enough for this”.
