Concerned parents and student groups not knowing how to get out of the war. The Foreign Ministry has activated the protocols to assist in the return of Ecuadorians.
Ecuador does not have an embassy in Ukraine. As soon as the conflict broke out, many wanted to go to the border with Poland, but they lack a document: the Schengen visa that allows them to enter Europe. This complicated the evacuation of Ecuadorians.
Hours after the war broke out, Foreign Minister Juan Carlos Holguín gave a press conference explaining the actions that the Government is handling for the return of the compatriots.
There are 1,500 people who live in one of the two countries. The majority are young people between 17 and 25 years old, who reside for academic reasons.
Holguín explained that fifteen days ago a registry of Ecuadorians was made through the concurrent embassy in Austria. The consul traveled to Kiev, without thinking that the escalation of violence would occur so soon. Now an Ecuadorian diplomatic team is going to accompany those who want to return home. Entry into Ukraine is impossible, so they will go as close as possible, to Warsaw, in Poland.
The Foreign Minister confirmed that 40 documents have been issued. Ecuador is in talks with other European countries so that they can issue emergency Schengen visas. They hope to receive Ecuadorians who do not have this permit at the border and issue at that time.
He offered to the relatives who were outside the Foreign Ministry, asking for information, to get the Ecuadorians out of Ukraine with the help of the Red Cross.
