Ukraine enters visa regime with Russia
On June 17, the Ukrainian government adopted a resolution suspending the “Agreement between the Governments of Ukraine and Russia on mutual visa-free travel of Ukrainian and Russian citizens.”
From July 1, Ukraine will introduce a visa regime for Russian citizens wishing to visit the country.
The statement came from President Volodymyr Zelensky on June 17.
According to Zelensky, Kyiv is taking this step because of unprecedented threats from Russia to Ukraine’s national security, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Moscow has not yet commented on Kiev’s decision.
According to the current rules, Russians could travel to Ukraine without a visa and stay in the country for up to 90 days at a time.
“We cut ties once and for all”
On February 24 this year, Kyiv cut off all diplomatic relations with Moscow due to Russia’s baseless and unjustified attack on Ukraine.
Ukrainian diplomats have left Russia.
It has not been announced yet which state agency will issue visas to Russian citizens.
The petition for a visa regime with Russia was published on the website of the President of Ukraine on February 11.
The number of signatories to the petition has long exceeded 25,000, which is necessary for consideration of the issue.
On June 17, the Ukrainian government adopted a resolution suspending the “Agreement between the Governments of Ukraine and Russia on mutual visa-free travel for citizens of Ukraine and Russia.”
Prime Minister Denis Shmigal said the government had complied with the president’s order.
“We cut ties with Russia once and for all,” the resolution said.