Foreign Secretary Liz Truss visits Bolton Ukrainian Club

In a show of support to the Ukrainian community in the borough, Liz Truss was greeted by Bolton North East MP Mark Logan, leader of Bolton Council, Martyn Cox, Cllr Adele Warren and chair of Bolton AUGB Yaroslaw Tymchyshyn.

Mr Tymchyshyn said: “It was tremendous. I don’t think a minister of her standing has been to any of our communities nationally.

"We had our National Chairman, Petro Rewko, come because it was so important.

Visited the Ukrainian Social Club in Bolton with @mark_logan_mp.

Inspired by the resolve, courage and determination of Ukrainians in the UK doing all they can to help their countrymen.

We continue to do all we can to support Ukraine. 🇬🇧🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/WYWTCTZNc0

— Liz Truss (@trussliz) March 25, 2022

“As far as I’m concerned everything was positive. Everything we asked for she made all the right noises about.

“I think Boris Johnson and her are really supporting Ukraine and the support is absolutely vital.”

He added: "If it wasn’t for [Mark Logan] and his team it wouldn’t have happened. We’re so grateful for his support.”

Cllr Cox said: “It was clearly very important to [the Ukrainian community].

"They really appreciated the fact that she took the time - she’s a very busy person - to speak to them.

Liz Truss (middle) with the welcoming party

“I think it was a really good thing for her to do, to come here.”

Mr Tymchyshyn took the opportunity to put forward his organisation’s current thoughts on the situation in Ukraine.

He said: “We would like to see a closing of the airspace, but it’s NATOs position that could cause World War Three.”

With the Homes for Ukraine scheme beginning to get off the ground, Bolton’s strong Ukraine community will play an important role in easing the process.

Mr Tymchyshyn said: “I’m speaking to the council looking at housing allocation, etcetera.

“Support is there, we’re just waiting for them to come now. We’re taking it step by step. That’s all we can do.”

Mrs Truss discussed the situation in Ukraine

Cllr Cox said: “It’s a national scheme, placing people directly into homes.

“It’s our responsibility to give refuge and sanctuary to the people whilst the conflict is happening.

“I expect that once the fighting has stopped, most Ukrainians will want to return home to family and friends.”

Mrs Truss said after her visit that she was “inspired by the resolve, courage and determination of Ukrainians in the UK doing all they can to help their countrymen.

“We continue to do all we can to support Ukraine.”

Help us support Ukraine in their time of need