Scotland "can rise to the problem" of welcoming Ukrainian refugees regardless of a delay find properties within the nation for individuals who beforehand fled Afghanistan, a senior SNP minister has claimed.
Angus Robertson insisted the Scottish Authorities and native authorities would be capable of settle individuals pressured out by the Russian invasion in jap Europe.
The cupboard secretary for exterior affairs immediately echoed calls from Nicola Sturgeon for Westminster to waive visa guidelines for Ukrainians in search of sanctuary within the UK.
However as many as 300 Afghans are at present caught in non permanent lodging in several elements of Scotland after they fled the Taliban takeover of their homeland final yr.
Council bosses in Edinburgh final month revealed they'd failed to supply everlasting lodging to any Afghans within the metropolis because of a extreme lack of native inexpensive housing.
Tory Residence Secretary Priti Patel final yr claimed Scottish councils had been “not taking part in their half” in internet hosting asylum seekers - a place denied by SNP MPs.
Requested immediately in an interview with the BBC if the nation was "not coping" with the numbers of refugees already right here, Robertson mentioned: "It is not so simple as that.
"The problem in relation to Afghan refugees is kind of specific due to the character of Afghan society and household dimension.
"It is not a standard problem to attempt to home what are, by Scottish requirements, very giant households - in comparison with largely ladies and youngsters who're coming from Ukraine.
"That's not to say we ought to be in search of to resolve one refugee disaster on the expense of the opposite - however we should be cautious to not conflate the 2.
"Sure, this stuff are taking place on the identical time however that ought to not cease us rising to the problem."
Robertson added: "I've received fairly sturdy private views about this.
"My mom was a refugee. She got here to those shores due to the Second World Struggle.
"On these present guidelines, she wouldn't have made it right here and I would not be right here immediately.
"If individuals had been ready to do this on the time of the Second World Struggle, I do know they're ready to do it now and the UK Authorities must rise to the problem and assist individuals of their hour of want."
Nicola Sturgeon final night time stepped up her demand for Boris Johnson to scrap all visa necessities for Ukrainian refugees.
Greater than 600,000 civilians have fled Ukraine in accordance with the UN.
The EU estimates that as much as 4 million individuals could attempt to go away the nation due to the Russian invasion.
The Prime Minister has mentioned the UK may absorb 200,000 Ukrainian refugees.
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