EU introduces visa-free travel for Ukrainian citizens
12 June 2017
The European Union introduced its visa-free regime for Ukrainian citizens at midnight on June 11. As of this morning, 1,894 Ukrainian citizens traveled to the EU without a visa, the State Border Services reported. About 78% went by automobile, while 22% went by airplane. Poland was the top destination, accounting for 63% of visa-free travelers. Between two and five citizens were denied entry, largely for previous violations, according to state bodies.
Zenon Zawada: As expected, the visa-free regime is affecting only a limited number of Ukrainians, largely those belonging to the middle class of entrepreneurs and skilled workers. The majority of Ukrainians doesn’t have the finances to travel to the EU, or don’t have the contact information necessary to demonstrate to border agents.
It’s this middle class that posed the biggest threat to the Poroshenko administration, which is highly unpopular among the public. With freer access to the EU, these entrepreneurs and skilled workers will have more incentive to engage in business and work rather than political activity against the president.
In our view, the Poroshenko administration has scored significant political dividends with the visa-free regime, despite failing to fulfill its promise that it would be launched in 2015 or 2016. By releasing this pent up frustration among the entrepreneurial class, President Poroshenko has boosted his chances for re-election in 2019.
