The Foreign Minister announced that Poland and Slovenia will receive Ecuadorians without a Schengen visa; there are 1,500 Ecuadorians at risk from the Russian-Ukrainian war.
Despite the territorial distance, the war between Russia and Ukraine feels close in Ecuador because close to 1,500 compatriotsmostly students of medicine, journalism and technical careers, live in both nations.
Juan Carlos Holguin, Foreign Minister of Ecuadorexpressed Ecuador’s rejection of “the hostile acts that began yesterday (February 23, 2022) in Ukraine” where there were bombing by the government of Russia.
No guarantees from Russia
Holguin pointed out that once the humanitarian corridors it will be possible to get citizens out of Ukraine. For now, he said. Chancellor– there are no guarantees how it will perform Russia; It is not known whether the country led by Vladimir Putin can respect the border crossings where there would be at least 400 Ecuadorians.
At the moment, the humanitarian flights are not feasible noted Holguinbecause the air frequencies are closed and Ukraine is in a state of emergency, which prevents Ecuador from taking action in situ. “We must follow instructions from the Government of Ukraine. The state of exception obliges us not to treat citizens differently because of their nationality.”
However, he stated that Poland and Slovenia have shown their willingness to receive the Ecuadorians without the need for a shengen visa.
Holguin He added that Ecuadorians have been asked to go to nearby shelters. “We hope that the european union community receive people (Ecuadorians) without visa schengenHolguin added.
Ecuadorians in countries at war
- On Russia there are 1,280 Ecuadorians, about 700 are in the conflict zone
- On Ukraine there are 702 Ecuadorians
- Most are between 17 and 25 years old and are studying in those nations.
- 41 Ecuadorians were able to get out of Ukraine in past weeks. (AVV)
FACT
Since February 12, 2022, Ecuador has asked citizens not to travel to Ukraine.
“We hope that the European Union community will receive people (Ecuadorians) without a Schengen visa”, Juan Carlos Holguín, Foreign Minister of Ecuador
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