Ukraine to bar Russian citizens from entering country without a visa come July – National

The Ukrainian cupboard authorized a decision on Friday to bar Russian residents from coming into Ukraine and not using a visa.

The transfer is prone to be considered as symbolic provided that the borders between Russian and Ukraine have remained shut since Moscow invaded its neighbor on Feb 24 and Kyiv severed diplomatic ties with Moscow.

The visa requirement, which is ready to take impact on July 1, nonetheless represents a big change to the benefit of journey beforehand permitted.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned on social media Friday that the choice was motivated by “unprecedented threats to the nationwide safety, sovereignty and territorial integrity” of Ukraine.

Earlier than Russia invaded Ukraine, Russians didn’t want visas to enter the nation. Many Russians have relations throughout the border, whereas others traveled usually to go to Ukraine’s southern seashores and historic cities.

Ukrainian Overseas Minister Dmytro Kuleba mentioned his ministry had advocated for making it tougher for Russians to enter the nation “from the very starting” of the battle Russia began, which was in its seventeenth week on Friday.

“The time has come for such a call. It is a considerate step that may shield the nationwide safety of our state,” Kuleba mentioned in an announcement.

He mentioned it was “symbolic” that the Cupboard’s motion coincided with the European Fee recommending giving Ukraine a path to EU membership.

“The path of motion of our state is clear,” Kuleba mentioned.