The Security Council declared a state of emergency in the country. A state of emergency was declared in Ukraine as tensions escalated after Russia recognized separatist-controlled areas in eastern Ukraine.
The State of Emergency will initially be in effect for 30 days, Security Council Secretary General Oleksiy Danilov said in Kiev on Wednesday. Danilov added that curfews can be implemented within the framework of the state of emergency. The state of emergency allows for arbitrary control of persons and vehicles, with increased police presence.
Parliamentary approval is required for the state of emergency to enter into force, but it is considered certain that the parliament will approve it.
A state of emergency has been in place since 2014 in the separatist Donetsk and Luhansk regions in eastern Ukraine.
Reserve personnel called for duty
Upon Russia’s recognition of the separatist-controlled areas, Ukraine began to recruit reserve personnel aged between 18 and 60. The military said in a statement that the maximum term of office would be one year. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy signed a decree with Russia yesterday, which envisages the call of reservists upon the escalation of the crisis.
The Ukrainian parliament, on the other hand, adopted the legal regulation that allows civilians to have access to weapons today. In order for the regulation to enter into force, it must also be accepted in the second session.
The deputies who prepared the draft law stated that its adoption is necessary in terms of “the interests of the society and the state” and emphasized that the law is necessary “because of the current threats and dangers to the citizens of Ukraine”.
Ukraine’s parliament approved the sanction
The Ukrainian parliament also approved the imposition of sanctions on 351 people, including members of the Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, who approved the recognition of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. With the said sanctions, these people will not be allowed to enter Ukraine and acquire property in the country.
Citizens of Russia asked to leave the country
As the crisis escalated, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine called on its citizens in Russia to leave the country “immediately”. In the statement made by the ministry today, a travel warning for Russia was also included. It is estimated that about 3 million Ukrainian citizens live in Russia permanently or periodically.
Foreign Minister Dimitro Kuleba advised President Zelenskiy to cut diplomatic relations with Russia. The permanent representative of Ukraine in Russia was summoned to Kiev for consultations. The two neighboring countries have not been represented at embassy level for years.
Reuters, dpa/JD, SSB
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