Official Kyiv Offers Special Programme to Russian Occupiers Unwilling to Fight

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba, who is currently attending the EU foreign ministers meeting in Prague as a guest, is suggesting launching a special programme for Russian soldiers who no longer want to fight in Ukraine.

“[The message]: save yourself and leave. Lay down arms, surrender to Ukrainian forces, and get an opportunity to start a new life. I am confident that this offer is worth making, because even if one Russian soldier lays down arms and decides to leave, it means saved Ukrainian lives and closer peace,” Kuleba said in a statement emailed to Reuters.

He also called on the European Union to ban the issuance of visas to Russian tourists, calling this measure expedient since the majority of Russians supported the country’s genocidal aggression against Ukraine.

“The time for half-measures is gone. Only a tough and consistent policy can produce results. A visa ban for Russian tourists and some other categories will be an appropriate response to Russia’s genocidal war of aggression in the heart of Europe supported by an overwhelming majority of Russian citizens,” Ukraine’s top diplomat said in his comments.

Earlier, he said that the visa ban for Russian tourists was a matter of self-respect.

Bohdan Marusyak