( ForUm ) - The Russian Federation has officially informed the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine that it intends to extend the new migration rules to Ukrainian nationals. That means Ukrainians entering Russia for a three-day-plus period will have to undergo migration registration. This was stated by ministry spokesman Andriy Deshchytsia at the ministry briefing, Cabinet's press office reports.
Russia introduced the new migration rules at the start of 2007. Since then the Ukrainian government has managed to preserve simpler terms for Ukrainian entrants, however, the agreements were never formalised.
The ministry's spokesman underlined that, if introduced, the move will promote no free movement of people between the countries. "In case Russia insists that changes be implemented, Ukraine will have to apply the same principle to the Russian citizens coming to this country," Mr. Deshchytsia said. He added that the Russian Foreign Ministry's statement is being examined by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, which is consulting with other agencies on how to resolve the situation.
Andriy Deshchytsia also noted that Russia has specified no date for entry into force of the new migration rules for Ukrainians since the two countries will first need to amend the agreement on mutual travels of citizens of Ukraine and of the Russian Federation and to sign a relevant protocol.