EU Council cancels short-term visa requirement for Ukrainians

The EU Council approved on May 11 a legislative proposal to cancel the short-term visa requirement for Ukrainian citizens. The visa-free regime will take effect 20 days after the legislation publishing, or about June 11.

Zenon Zawada: We continue to stress that this measure won’t impact the Ukrainian economy much. Many Ukrainians can’t afford to travel much to the European Union, which will continue to require proof of funds and residency to enter its territory, regardless of the visa-free regime.

Those who stand to gain the most economically are the members of Ukraine’s small middle class, who will be able to conduct business a bit easier. Politically, the most active citizens, many of whom belong to this middle class, will seek more economic opportunities abroad, which will serve the Poroshenko administration in relieving pent up public resentment.

The decision holds more symbolic significance as Ukraine continues to integrate further into Western institutions and culture. In theory, the average Ukrainian citizen now has better access to the EU than the Russian oligarchs and officials who were placed under sanctions.