In the early hours of Thursday, February 24, Russian forces launched a series of missile attacks on Ukraine. As a result, Ukraine has closed its airspace for civilian flights. In addition, Russia has closed its airspace for civilian flights on the western border with Ukraine and Belarus.
Following Ukraine’s declaration of a State of Emergency, governments have begun to close their embassies or consulates or shift operations outside Kyiv. The military effort has been met with sanctions toward Russia and swift humanitarian efforts to aid Ukrainian citizens.
The situation in Ukraine is ongoing and subject to sudden change. Updated Sunday, February 27, 2022.
Current Situation
| Region: EU | Ukraine Changes |
| EU Travel Restrictions: | The President of the European Council has urgently convened a special meeting of the European Council to discuss the situation in Ukraine following Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. During the special meeting of the European Council, EU leaders will discuss:
The EU coordinates its response with international partners, including NATO and G7. |
| Belgium | Belgium’s Junior Minister for Asylum and Migration has said that Belgium wants the EU to stop issuing visas to all Russian citizens, including students, workers, and tourists. |
| Bulgaria | Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov said on February 24 that “Bulgaria will be a partner who will speak with one voice with the European Union and Nato… I would like to appeal to all Bulgarians in Ukraine, as well as to all Ukrainian citizens who wish to seek asylum in Bulgaria: We are open and will do everything possible not only for safe transport to Bulgaria in a safe way, but also there will be all the help they need,” Petkov said. |
| Czech Republic | The government has stopped issuing visas for Russian citizens, except for humanitarian visas. In addition, the government has closed the Russian consulates in Brno and Karlovy Vary and Czech consulates in St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg.
Additionally, as of February 25, citizens of Ukraine, EU citizens or permanent residents en route from Ukraine, and individuals leaving Ukraine via the Czech Republic to their country of residence or citizenship, are exempted from all COVID-10 obligations. However, individuals traveling to their country of residence or citizenship via the Czech Republic from Ukraine must leave the Czech Republic within 48 hours. |
| Denmark | According to Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Denmark will prepare to receive refugees from Ukraine and send humanitarian aid to Ukraine and neighboring countries. |
| Estonia | Estonia has invoked NATO Article 4. |
| Germany | “We are following very closely whether there will be an influx of refugees to our neighboring countries,” Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said in a statement.
Germany “will provide massive help to the affected states — especially our neighbor Poland — should there be a large-scale influx,” and remains in close contact with Poland and the EU Commission, she said. |
| Hungary | Hungary has started its preparations for incoming refugees, and about 600,000 of them will be settled by the Hungarian Defence Forces. However, it hasn’t yet been announced how the authority plans to accommodate the refugees. |
| Iceland | The Icelandic Ministry of Justice has removed Ukraine from its safe country of origin list. As such, applications for international protection from Ukrainians will be handled as a priority compared to applications from safe countries. |
| Ireland | Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed that visa requirements for all Ukrainian citizens coming into Ireland would be waived. Usually, Ukrainian nationals must have a visa to enter. This will streamline and support the swift exit of both the Ukrainian family members of Irish citizens and the family members of people from Ukraine who are residents in Ireland. It will apply as an emergency measure to all Ukrainians traveling to Ireland. |
| Latvia | The plan for the reception and accommodation of refugees, developed by the Ministry of the Interior, was approved on Thursday. The Latvian ambassador to Russia, Māris Riekstiņš, will be recalled for consultations. The issuance of travel visas to Russian citizens will be suspended, except in cases related to special humanitarian considerations. Latvia has invoked NATO Article 4. |
| Lithuania | On Thursday, the Lithuanian foreign ministry announced that it would no longer grant visas to Russian citizens. Lithuania’s president declared a state of emergency and deployed the army to the border in response to “possible disturbances and provocations due to large military forces massed in Russia and Belarus.” Lithuania has invoked NATO Article 4. |
| Poland | Poland expects to receive about one million Ukrainian refugees, as the Interior Minister of Poland, Maciej Wąsik, told Polish radio. Poland has invoked NATO Article 4. |
| Romania | On the first day of fighting, nearly 11,000 Ukrainians arrived in Romania. |
| Slovakia | Slovakia sent troops to manage a possible influx of people fleeing Ukraine. |
| United Kingdom | The UK Home Office announced that Ukrainians who are on work, study, or visit visas in the UK will have their visas temporarily extended until December 31, 2022, or be able to switch onto different visa routes. |