The Crewe and Nantwich Labour Party gave its thoughts on the impact the Russian invasion is having on Ukrainian families.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, there have been over 1,000 civilian casualties and more than 350 deaths, 10 of them children.

The Crewe and Nantwich Labour party said: "The consequences of Putin's war of aggression will be horrendous and tragic for the Ukrainian people and our thoughts and solidarity are with them in this difficult time.

"The reports of tanks rolling through the streets of Ukrainian cities and of missiles hitting residential areas, hospitals and orphanages are horrifying.

"The UK must work with other countries to bring as much diplomatic and economic pressure upon Putin as possible, in the hope that this forces him to retreat.

"Sanctions will inevitably result in economic pain at home due to the nature of global supply chains and our reliance on Russia for the supply of oil and gas. We should look to ease this reliance in the long term.

"In the short term, we should be prepared for the impact of this on ordinary families and take whatever steps we can to mitigate that impact, particularly in the context of an already worsening cost of living crisis.

Boris Johnson has announced a number of economic sanctions which include: penalising all major Russian banks, banning the export of equipment and technology to Russia and banning all Russian aircrafts from landing in the UK.

Last week a collection point in Crewe was set up by Donatable to send emergency supplies to Ukrainian families.

Local families arrived in their hundreds, generously donating for the cause at Qualkem on Macon Way and filling up an entire load. A new collection point is now located at We Display on Weston Road.

Founder of Donatable, Gareth Williams stated on Facebook video: "Wow. I can't thank all of the volunteers that have turned up down at Qualkem enough. Thank you to all of the local companies and drivers that have come here to really help us.

"It has been amazing to see all of these fantastic donations. I am lost for words and I am not lost for words often. We have managed to get all of the pallets (of donations) off to Wrexham. Thank you to everyone that has been involved."

Labour were adamant that the country could do more: "Over 1.5 million Ukrainians have fled their country as a result of the invasion. The whole of Europe, the UK included, must do what it can to provide a place of safety for those fleeing war.

On Mullan's recent comments they added: "We are reluctant to criticise along party political lines. Labour has taken a constructive approach, looking to work with the government to ensure we are able to respond rapidly as events develop."

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