Azerbaijan news

Ukraine introduced a visa regime for Russian citizens

The border guards at the checkpoints will make the final decision

Who wants to go to Ukraine from July 1 Russia citizens will have to get a visa.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky’s request to switch to the visa regime was approved by the government 2 weeks ago.

Ukraine After the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the start of the war in Donbas, it gradually made it difficult for Russians to enter the country.

First, instead of domestic passports, they were asked for foreign passports, and later Russia citizens were subjected to comprehensive checks at the border. But before a large-scale invasion Ukraine has not taken steps to apply the visa regime.

On June 17, at the request of the president, the government approved the intergovernmental agreement on the visa-free regime, which has been in force since 1997. cancellation did. Also since 2011 Russia and of Ukraine suspended the agreement on simplified travel in the border regions.

“We are finally cutting all ties with Russia. This is our state national We are doing this to counter the unprecedented threats to our security, sovereignty and territorial integrity,” said Denis Shmykhal, head of the government, on June 17, defending the introduction of visas.

At that time, 2 weeks were set for preparation for the transition to the visa regime.

“Since the beginning of the full-scale war, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has supported the visa regime with the Russian Federation. We are ready to implement the decision from July 1, we have the technical capabilities,” Foreign Minister Oleg Nikolenko told BBC News Ukraine. said.

After that, Russian citizens will have to apply to one of the “VFS Global” visa centers, which will operate in 8 cities, to get a visa to Ukraine.

Applications will be reviewed by Ukrainian diplomats in third countries.

According to the decision, the Russian citizen is allowed to enter Ukraine even if he has a visa 100 percent will not guarantee. The final decision will be made by the border guards at the checkpoints.

President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky In mid-June, when announcing the visa rules for Russians, the authorities said that this step national in response to unprecedented security threats.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia said that the country national acting out of their interests and taking into account the humanitarian aspect, possible countermeasures can be taken.

According to the State Border Service of Ukraine, half a million Russians crossed the border of Ukraine in 2021.

The number of Russians who came during the war is still unknown.

Currently, all border crossings with Russia and Belarus are closed.

Russians can come to Ukraine only from other countries – Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Hungary and Moldova.



Azerbaijan news

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