Latest news with #MinistryOfNationalUnity
Russia Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Ukraine shuts down Unity Ministry after its head reportedly fled
The Ukrainian government has dismantled the Ministry of National Unity, which was led by Deputy Prime Minister Aleksey Chernyshov, Ukrainian MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak has claimed. The move comes after the official was accused of fleeing the country amid a corruption scandal. Chernyshov, who was tasked with overseeing the return of Ukrainian citizens from abroad, has been at the center of an investigation involving the alleged illegal transfer of state land in exchange for luxury housing. Ukrainian media has reported that several of the suspects are his former subordinates, and one of the properties under investigation is linked to his former head of security. Last month, when visiting Austria along with Vladimir Zelensky, several journalists claimed that Chernyshov had failed to return to Ukraine, speculating that he had gone into hiding to avoid the probe. Ukrainian MP Artyom Dmitruk and journalist Anatoly Shariy, both exiled critics of the current Ukrainian government, noted that Chernyshov's supposed escape seemed to coincide with the criminal investigation against him gaining traction. Chernyshov's office has denied any connection between his foreign travel and the criminal probe. Zelensky later referred to the trip as an official assignment, and Chernyshov subsequently announced his return to Ukraine. However, according to Zheleznyak, Chernyshov has now been dismissed and his ministry formally abolished and merged with other departments in an effort to avoid framing the move as a 'liquidation of unity.' This comes amid reports that Kiev's leadership has been increasingly mired in what The Economist has described as 'palace politics' and bitter infighting. The outlet's sources have suggested that the turmoil is linked to Andrey Yermak, the powerful head of Vladimir Zelensky's office, who is seen as actively sidelining other key figures close to the Ukrainian leader. The reported liquidation of the Unity Ministry comes amid a sweeping reshuffle within the government. Prime Minister Denis Shmigal has been replaced by Yulia Sviridenko and will reportedly take over the Defense Ministry, while Rustem Umerov, the outgoing defense chief, has reportedly been tapped to serve as ambassador to the US.
Malay Mail
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
National Unity Ministry to roll out ethnic minority festival calendar in January 2026
SIBU, July 10 — The Ministry of National Unity will, for the first time, publish the Ethnic Minority Festival Calendar in January 2026 in a bid to strengthen understanding and unity among the country's multi-racial population. Minister Datuk Seri Aaron Ago Dagang said the calendar would compile comprehensive information on the dates, backgrounds and descriptions of traditional festivals and ceremonies celebrated by ethnic minorities across the country. 'This calendar is not just a list of festival dates but serves as a medium for cultural education aimed at fostering mutual respect and appreciation for ethnic diversity, which is the cornerstone of Malaysia's strength,' he said when officiating the Borneo Dayak Cultural Festival (BDCF) 2025 at Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang here last night. Aaron said the calendar would be distributed in both printed and electronic formats to ministries, government departments, educational institutions and other stakeholders. 'With this calendar, the community will become more aware of festivals such as Irau Aco (Lun Bawang), Songkran Festival (Siamese), Kalimaran Festival (Murut), Lepa-Lepa Festival (Bajau), Magahau Festival (Rungus) and Mipis Festival (Dusun Lotud). 'We will gain a better understanding of cultural sensitivities and, more importantly, develop greater respect for one another as Malaysians,' he said. Aaron added that national unity could not be achieved without mutual respect and cultural understanding. 'Only through understanding and accepting cultural differences can the spirit of 'Harmony in Diversity' be instilled in our daily lives,' he said. Commenting on the BDCF, Aaron said the festival, now in its 21st edition, reflected the cultural strength and harmony among Sarawak's diverse communities, including the Dayak, Malay, Melanau and Chinese. 'This festival is unique and special, as it highlights unity in cultural diversity through artistic performances, traditional food and ethnic heritage,' he said. Carrying the theme 'Rhythm of Borneo 2025', this year's edition also saw the introduction of a new official mascot, Engkuli, the local name for the Harimau Dahan (Neofelis diardi), which represents biodiversity preservation and the natural wealth of Borneo. According to Aaron, Sarawak - home to over 30 ethnic groups and more than 40 dialects — was the best example of how cultural diversity could serve as a foundation for social unity and strength. — Bernama
Malay Mail
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Ukrainian refugees in UK trapped in limbo as visa extensions provide no long-term solution
LONDON, June 17 — After fleeing Ukraine with her new-born baby and toddler in 2022, Lidiia rebuilt her life Britain, but now the 36-year-old fears she will have to return next year because there is no easy way to get the right to permanently stay in her new home. With the Russian invasion well into its third year and little sign of peace, Lidiia, who asked to use a pseudonym to protect her privacy, is terrified for her children. 'Even if they say there's a ceasefire ... I will have in my mind that in five, six years, (the Russians) are going to be back,' she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. 'And then my son will have to be a soldier. My daughter might be killed or raped,' she said. Like most of the 218,000 Ukrainians who came to Britain on special visas from 2022, Lidiia is running out of time — her original visa is expiring and although she is applying for an extension, even that will run out after another 18 months. Although nearly 70 per cent of Ukrainians in Britain want to stay, according to a 2024 Office for National Statistics (ONS) survey, without legal status, many say they will have no choice but to head elsewhere or return to their war-ravaged homeland. With Ukraine urging citizens to come back — it created the Ministry of National Unity last December to facilitate the return of nearly 7 million citizens — and Britain offering no permanent resettlement process, Lidiia feels trapped. She says her children feel more British than Ukrainian and have close bonds with their community in northern England. 'I want to stay in the UK, 100 per cent. If the UK doesn't want us to stay, I will go back to Ukraine and just hope that we'll survive. There is no other choice,' said the charity worker. Give people a choice Britain has two visa schemes for Ukrainian refugees: one for those with family already in the UK — a route that has now closed — and the Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme that allowed Britons to offer accommodation to those fleeing the war. In February this year, the government opened an 18-month Ukrainian Protection Extension visa to those whose initial three-year visas were due to expire this year. But none of these schemes offer the option of staying permanently and the Home Office, or interior ministry, has yet to propose further visa extensions. 'Our offer of temporary sanctuary is in line with the Ukrainian government's strong desire for the future return of its citizens, and does not lead to settlement,' a Home Office spokesperson said in emailed comments. Ukrainian support charity Opora said Ukrainians should have the choice to resettle in Britain and could help rebuild Ukraine from afar by, for example, sending back remittances. 'Ukraine will need people going back to rebuild, of course, but closing off options and thereby forcing people to go back will not build a happy cohort of returnees. So give people a choice,' said managing director Stan Beneš. Route to resettlement In early June, the European Commission proposed extending temporary protection for around 4.26 million Ukrainian refugees in the European Union until March 2027. It also recommended member states start transitioning those who want to stay to other legal statuses, for instance by offering work permits and student visas. Settled, a charity that supports EU citizens and Ukrainians in Britain, urged London to follow suit and increase the duration of the extension visa to 36 months from 18, and also offer resettlement possibilities, as is the case for Afghans and Hong Kongers. 'Ukrainians should be given a path to settlement. We have children who have been born and are growing up in the UK. English is their first language,' said Yuliia Ismail, an immigration adviser at Settled. She said she had seen an increase in Ukrainians wanting to apply for asylum, despite a record backlog, because if they were successful they would be able to stay indefinitely. In the first quarter of 2025, there were nearly 380 asylum claims by Ukrainians, compared to 570 in all of 2024 and around 100 the year before, according to official data. 'This uncertainty pushes people to the asylum system,' Ismail said. Stuck in Limbo Even with an 18-month visa extension, many Ukrainians are unable secure rental accommodation or work contracts because of uncertainty over their ultimate status, charities say. More than a third of Ukrainians surveyed by the ONS in 2024 said they were looking for work, and only a third said they were working in the same sector as they did in Ukraine. A February report by the British Red Cross said without jobs, many Ukrainians were unable to rent properties and were more than twice as likely to be homeless than the general population. Maria, a 40-year-old single mother from Kyiv living in Scotland, said she could not find teaching work despite retraining to get local qualifications and applying for around 100 jobs. Maria, who also used a pseudonym for privacy, said employers were not interested in hiring Ukrainians for longer-term jobs. 'It really distresses me. We cannot buy anything new for our home like a wardrobe, even an extra spoon. What will we do if we need to leave? Everyday life is just unstable. I cannot think about what tomorrow will be,' she said. — Reuters
The Independent
16-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Visa schemes in UK leave Ukraine's war refugees in limbo
Lidiia, a 36-year-old Ukrainian refugee, is facing the daunting prospect of returning to her war-torn homeland after rebuilding her life in Britain. Fleeing Ukraine in 2022 with her newborn and toddler, she now fears that the lack of a clear path to permanent residency will force her back next year. "Even if they say there's a ceasefire ... I will have in my mind that in five, six years, (the Russians) are going to be back," she said. "And then my son will have to be a soldier. My daughter might be killed or raped." Lidiia, who requested anonymity to protect her privacy, is among the 218,000 Ukrainians who sought refuge in Britain under special visas since 2022. As her initial visa nears expiration, and with only an 18-month extension on offer, her future remains uncertain. According to a 2024 Office for National Statistics (ONS) survey, nearly 70 per cent of Ukrainians in Britain wish to remain, but without a clear legal status, many may be compelled to seek refuge elsewhere or return to their homeland. With Ukraine urging citizens to come back - it created the Ministry of National Unity last December to facilitate the return of nearly 7 million citizens - and Britain offering no permanent resettlement process, Lidiia feels trapped. She says her children feel more British than Ukrainian and have close bonds with their community in northern England. "I want to stay in the UK, 100 per cent. If the UK doesn't want us to stay, I will go back to Ukraine and just hope that we'll survive. There is no other choice," said the charity worker. 'Give people a choice' Britain has two visa schemes for Ukrainian refugees: one for those with family already in the UK - a route that has now closed - and the Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme that allowed Britons to offer accommodation to those fleeing the war. In February this year, the government opened an 18-month Ukrainian Protection Extension visa to those whose initial three-year visas were due to expire this year. But none of these schemes offer the option of staying permanently and the Home Office, or interior ministry, has yet to propose further visa extensions. "Our offer of temporary sanctuary is in line with the Ukrainian government's strong desire for the future return of its citizens, and does not lead to settlement," a Home Office spokesperson said in emailed comments. Ukrainian support charity Opora said Ukrainians should have the choice to resettle in Britain and could help rebuild Ukraine from afar by, for example, sending back remittances. "Ukraine will need people going back to rebuild, of course, but closing off options and thereby forcing people to go back will not build a happy cohort of returnees. So give people a choice," said managing director Stan Beneš. Route to resettlement? In early June, the European Commission proposed extending temporary protection for around 4.26 million Ukrainian refugees in the European Union until March 2027. It also recommended member states start transitioning those who want to stay to other legal statuses, for instance by offering work permits and student visas. Settled, a charity that supports EU citizens and Ukrainians in Britain, urged London to follow suit and increase the duration of the extension visa to 36 months from 18, and also offer resettlement possibilities, as is the case for Afghans and Hong Kongers. "Ukrainians should be given a path to settlement. We have children who have been born and are growing up in the UK. English is their first language," said Yuliia Ismail, an immigration adviser at Settled. She said she had seen an increase in Ukrainians wanting to apply for asylum, despite a record backlog, because if they were successful they would be able to stay indefinitely. In the first quarter of 2025, there were nearly 380 asylum claims by Ukrainians, compared to 570 in all of 2024 and around 100 the year before, according to official data. "This uncertainty pushes people to the asylum system," Ismail said. Stuck in limbo Even with an 18-month visa extension, many Ukrainians are unable secure rental accommodation or work contracts because of uncertainty over their ultimate status, charities say. More than a third of Ukrainians surveyed by the ONS in 2024 said they were looking for work, and only a third said they were working in the same sector as they did in Ukraine. A February report by the British Red Cross said without jobs, many Ukrainians were unable to rent properties and were more than twice as likely to be homeless than the general population. Maria, a 40-year-old single mother from Kyiv living in Scotland, said she could not find teaching work despite retraining to get local qualifications and applying for around 100 jobs. Maria, who also used a pseudonym for privacy, said employers were not interested in hiring Ukrainians for longer-term jobs. "It really distresses me. We cannot buy anything new for our home like a wardrobe, even an extra spoon. What will we do if we need to leave? Everyday life is just unstable. I cannot think about what tomorrow will be," she said.
