LEGALIZATION OF CITIZENS OF BELARUSSIA IN THE TERRITORY OF UKRAINE IN THE LIGHT OF RECENT EVENTS

 The relationship between countries in the world at different times of their social or political cataclysms - differed among themselves. They are governed by international treaties, domestic legislation of countries or simple human relations between peoples. At different times, relations between peoples were different. In 2020, I would like to focus on the current situation in Belarus.

 Due to certain, well-known political circumstances in the Republic of Belarus, fearing persecution, and also, in order to protect their lives and health, many Belarusians are forced to leave for a while to other countries. Most of all, Belarusians consider the neighboring countries, but the EU or Schengen countries are also present in this list.

In connection with such circumstances and the influx of Belarusian citizens entering Ukraine, the countries of the Schengen zone, as well as Poland and Lithuania, significantly simplified the process of entry and stay for Belarusians on their territory. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about Ukrainian "hospitality". Instead of creating all the necessary conditions for the admission and stay of Belarusians on its territory, Ukraine provided the most difficult way of legalization on the territory of Ukraine - granting asylum or establishing refugee status. This is one of the most difficult legalization options in the country. As a result, Ukrainian human rights activists proposed a more alternative option, contacting the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. The proposal consisted in making amendments to certain legal acts, according to which the period of stay in Ukraine for a citizen of Belarus would be no more than 360 days within one calendar year. The initiators of this proposal referred to the fact that this action does not need additional funding, there is no need to change layers of Ukrainian legislation for this, and also does not pose a danger - as the citizens of Belarus have never positioned themselves as an aggressive people.

 Time will tell what will be the result of considering this proposal. But in any case, taking this proposal into consideration and making such amendments (or similar amendments) will be one of the pleasant gestures to the Belarusian people.

 In any case, in this situation, we can observe that Ukraine artificially complicated the process of legalization and, in general, the stay of citizens of Belarus on its territory, without creating additional improved conditions for staying in Ukraine. And this is due to the fact that the government of Ukraine is simply "afraid" of a large influx of Belarusians into its territory, or because of political motives - we do not know.

 In any case, if citizens of Belarus or citizens of other countries have problems with legalization on the territory of Ukraine, or there is a question about extending the period of stay in Ukraine or obtaining a temporary / permanent residence permit - at any time, you can involve specialists of the law firm " Prikhodko and partners ”. Our experts are always happy to help and resolve a situation of any complexity!