Pavlo Klimkin comments on introduction of visa regime with Russia

Pavlo Klimkin comments on introduction of visa regime with Russia

The introduction of a visa regime with the Russian Federation will not give Ukraine the effect we want, says Foreign Minister of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin, UNIAN reports.

During the Hour of Questions to the Government in the Verkhovna Rada, responding to the questions of people's deputies, when the visa regime with the Russian Federation will be introduced, Foreign Minister of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin said that the usual introduction of visas "will not give the effect that we are striving for". "On the contrary, it will create significant problems in the context of Russia's making use of these problems to its own advantage.Russia will use it to make both provocations and pursuing conscious policies to restrict citizens of Ukraine living in the occupied territory, in the territory of the occupied Crimea, to move in the territory of Ukraine ", - explained the minister.

As Klimkin said, after a detailed analysis, the decision of the National Security and Defense Council was adopted on the establishment of an integrated system, that provides for "biometric data about foreigners and stateless persons, and effective control over movement in Ukrainian territory and other measures." "This system will be implemented gradually - stage by stage, whereas usual introduction of visas will not give us such an effect, which we strive for," said Klimkin.

Earlier it was reported that on June 1 in the Ministry of Justice stated that Ukraine is ready to introduce a visa regime with the Russian Federation, but a necessary political decision is needed. On July 10, NSDC secretary Olexandr Turchinov stressed that biometric controls for foreigners at the border should be completed no later than January 1, 2018. He said that for the Russians a pre-registration electronic system will be introduced. According to Turchinov, Ukraine introduces biometric control for foreigners, so that saboteurs do not cross the border on the basis of documents.