Ukrainians are confused following the discussion about a possible visa ban for Russians to the EU, because the war started by Russia has limited their mobility in many ways, writes Maxim Fedorov, ‘s journalist in Ukraine.
KIEV My acquaintance from Kyiv has not seen her son for over a year. His grown son lives and works in Europe. The family reunion was supposed to be in the spring, but the war got in the way. Men of service age and fit are not allowed abroad except in exceptional cases, because the country is under martial law.
Another acquaintance of mine, a Ukrainian citizen living in Germany, last visited his parents in Odessa last summer. This year, the family reunion had to be skipped, because he is afraid that he will not be allowed to leave Ukraine again. Although those who live permanently abroad are in principle allowed to leave behind the border, the final decision is always made by the border guard. However, work and life are in Germany and he cannot take the risk.
Europe is now full of Ukrainian women and children missing their husbands and fathers. It is not yet safe for them to return to Ukraine, but their spouses and fathers cannot get to them.
At the same time, they longingly follow other Ukrainian families. If you fled the war from Eastern Ukraine through Russia, the man was allowed to join. The ban on leaving the country is enforced only at the border managed by Ukraine.
Ukrainians have been living in a reality where their freedom of movement is restricted for almost half a year. There is a debate about it, but everyone understands the reason for the restrictions.
Of course, there are those who try to get abroad by any means. Others use money to make fake health certificates, because the borders are open to those unfit for service. Others falsify documents and pretend to be volunteers or studying abroad. Some even cross the border illegally on land.
All this is not considered good in Ukraine. The risk for the leaver is that acquaintances and friends will judge his actions. As Ukraine fights for its existence, everyone’s contribution is important.
In May, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi received a citizen’s initiative to lift the ban on men leaving the country, as it collected the necessary 25,000 signatures. The author’s reasoning was that the army simply cannot recruit all the men in Ukraine.
This week, Zelenskyi responded to another initiative that proposed lifting restrictions on men without military experience. According to the president, the restrictions will end only when the state of war ends in the country. He justified his decision by saying that even the work of the inexperienced might be needed for defense purposes.
There is a saying in Ukraine that every Russian democrat ends with the Ukrainian question. It means that regardless of political opinion, Russians always defend only their own interests, even if they think they support Ukraine.
From the point of view of Ukraine, the Russians’ reaction to a possible EU-wide visa ban seems disgruntled. Propagandists and liberals are unitedly opposed to ending the issuance of tourist visas and even repeat the same arguments about the wrongness of collective punishment and the corruption of the European value base.
It is difficult for Ukrainians to sympathize with Russians’ problems. Because at the same time, their lives are constantly threatened because of Russia. The arguments of war opponents that the visa ban is wrong also do not sink in with Ukrainians.
The visa ban would play into Vladimir Putin’s pocket, the Russians say. But it will hardly worsen the situation for the Ukrainians, when the country is already the target of a major attack by Russia.
The visa ban would hit those Russian citizens who support and help Ukraine, the Russians claim. But a large part of Ukrainians do not want and do not expect support and help from the Russians. They just want Russia to leave them alone.
The Ukrainians I’ve spoken to about the visa issue say it’s not even a question of whether the entire Russian people are guilty or not. It’s about what’s appropriate to do and say at the moment. And loudly defending one’s right to travel to the EU in a situation where the lives of Ukrainians have been turned upside down because of Russia is perhaps not the most essential.
What thoughts did the story evoke? You can discuss the topic until 23.00 on Tuesday evening, 23.8.