Leader - UK must open doors to all fleeing Ukraine

Europe is in the grip of the biggest war on its soil since 1945. Images of families fleeing Ukraine are reminiscent of grainy black and white scenes from 80 years AGO or more, yet they are pin-sharp and in colour, captured in just the past few days.

There are hopeful early signs that this war is going badly wrong for Putin. Ukrainian resistance has been perhaps stronger than expected. Brave Russian voices of dissent have been louder than the Kremlin might have anticipated. And the West's response in terms of crippling sanctions has been more unified than Putin would have hoped.

All of which may help explain what led the Russian leader, like a cornered animal with nothing to lose, to order that his military command put nuclear forces on a “special” state of alert yesterday.

Refugees fleeing conflict in Ukraine arrive at the Medyka border crossing, in Poland. The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, has warmed Russia's invasion will have "devastating humanitarian consequences" on civilians. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)

The world can only hope this was an attempt by a man with no moral floor to deter Nato support for Ukraine by creating uncertainty over the extent of his delusion.

But if a nuclear attack on the West seems unlikely, it is highly plausible that Putin is considering an escalation of his assault on Ukraine, with chemical or even non-strategic nuclear weapons. Faced with such threats, the exodus from Ukraine will gather pace rapidly.

These are exceptional times that clearly require exceptional measures. These measures must include opening up the UK to all those who are fleeing Ukraine.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has pledged that the UK Government will look “urgently” at what more can be done. This must include allowing entry not only for Ukrainians with links to the UK but also for those with none.

It is welcome that Ms Truss acknowledges the urgency of the situation. The Government must act now to remove the red tape and bureaucracy that stands in the way of those so desperately in need.

A humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding in Europe and it is the duty of countries that regard themselves as humane to do all that is within their power to help.