Envoy claims Ukraine intends on retaliating against Israel
Date
6/26/2024 7:55:05 AM
(MENAFN) Ukraine's diplomatic mission in Tel Aviv has announced plans to implement reciprocal measures against Israel following its decision to introduce electronic travel authorization (ETA-IL) for Ukrainian citizens. The move, effective from July 1, marks a significant shift from the previous visa-free agreement established between the two nations in 2010.
In a statement posted on social media, the Ukrainian embassy in Israel expressed dissatisfaction with Israel's unilateral decision, which it argues effectively terminates the visa-free Regime that has been in place for over a decade. The embassy emphasized that Ukraine will respond by imposing similar pre-approval requirements for Israeli citizens, including religious pilgrims who frequently visit Ukraine, particularly during events such as the Jewish New Year celebrations in Uman.
The announcement highlighted that the reciprocal measures would impact thousands of Israeli pilgrims and underscored Kiev's openness to dialogue with Israel to negotiate these travel policy changes. Ukrainian Ambassador Evgeny Kornichuk, addressing concerns over the treatment of Ukrainian nationals seeking entry into Israel, criticized what he termed as the "humiliation" faced by Ukrainians, particularly during previous incidents last August.
Kornichuk's remarks also pointed to broader grievances regarding Israel's stance on asylum protections for Ukrainian refugees, alleging disparities in treatment between Jewish and non-Jewish Ukrainian immigrants. He cited instances where Ukrainian visitors were reportedly deported without clear explanations, contrasting with Israeli authorities' assertions that such actions were aimed at preventing misuse of tourist visas for unauthorized work or settlement.
The diplomatic friction over visa policies between Ukraine and Israel reflects growing tensions and underscores the complexities surrounding immigration and travel regulations amid bilateral relations. Ukraine's retaliatory measures are poised to impact cultural and religious exchanges between the two nations, emphasizing the need for ongoing diplomatic discussions to resolve these issues for mutual benefit.
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