Romania, Hungary, approve visa-free access to fleeing Nigerians in Ukraine, as Russia open ceasefire talks on Belarus border

After initially rejecting the venue of a planned talk with Russian officials, Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak has confirmed that a peace talk between his country and Russia is underway at the border of Belarus.

The Ukraine President’s office has said its main goals are an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian troops.

The delegation includes Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov and presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak among others.

Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation, said “as every hour of conflict brings new casualties among Ukrainian soldiers, we are definitely interested in reaching any agreements as soon as possible”.

“But those agreements should be for the benefit of both sides,” he added. It was also learnt that the Russian delegation arrived the meeting location on Sunday February 27.

Russia’s attack on Ukraine entered its fifth day after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the military intervention last Thursday, days after recognizing two separatist-held enclaves in eastern Ukraine.

The military move was met by an outcry from the international community, with the EU, UK, and US implementing a range of economic sanctions against the Kremlin.

Russia has been further isolated as its airlines have been banned from traveling in European airspace, as well as Canadian airspace, and a number of its banks have been kicked out of the SWIFT international banking system.

In a related development, Nigerian Embassies in Romania, Hungary and Poland have received no fewer than 256 stranded Nigerians from Ukraine, while awaiting the arrival of 200 more in the coming days.

Amb. Gabriel Aduda, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

“In the last 24 hours, officials of the Nigerian Embassy received 130 Nigerians safely at Bucharest, Romania, where they had been provided accommodation and would be documented, while we finalise arrangements to bring them back home.

“Also, officials at Budapest, Hungary, had received and accommodated 74 Nigerians safely, where they are being documented for subsequent travel arrangements back to Nigeria.

“We are expecting another batch of about 200 in the city of Budapest, tomorrow, Monday.

In Warsaw, Poland, 52 Nigerians and 23 others were being processed at the Polish government’s reception point at Hala Kijowska.

“Milny 90, 37-552 Milny, which is near the border of Korczowa-Krakowiec, is a camp that is well organised with beds and beddings, foods, heating, clothing and medicals for evacuees.

“We assure Nigerians that all hands are on deck and arrangements are being put in place to effectively evacuate our citizens, in safety and dignity,” he stated.

Federal Government had made arrangements with the authorities of the countries to grant access-free visa to stranded Nigerians.

The Nigerian government had also advised its nationals to cooperate with immigration officials at the border posts.

Meanwhile, the governments of Hungary and Romania have approved visa free access to all Nigerians fleeing Ukraine, the Federal Government has said.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Nigerian Mission in Hungary.

 “The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Budapest, Hungary wishes to inform nationals arriving from Ukraine, that the Government of Hungary has enacted Decree 56/2022 (24.II).

“Which permits third country nationals with valid Ukrainian resident permits to enter Hungary on a temporary basis, without a Schengen visa.

“As such, Nigerians arriving at the Hungary-Ukraine border can enter Hungary, either on transit to Nigeria, or temporarily reside in the country.

“Affected Nigerians are thereby advised to send their names, phone numbers, email addresses, and copy of their passports  biodata page to the Embassy’s Consular email; secretary@nigerianembassy.hu.

“To enable the facilitation of the aforementioned arrangements. For information to on consular assistance, please contact the following persons who will be on ground to coordinate;

“Mr Stanley Okpara (Consular Officer) – +36308202903 and Mr Ayotunde Adigun +36308639203,” the Hungarian Mission Stated.

Similarly, the Romanian Mission in a statement urged affected Nigerians to contact its consular officer on +40747309174 and Head of Chancery on +40786091964 for assistance.

“The following persons are deployed to the four entry points and may be reached accordingly; Siret, Suceava County- Mr Dayo Adeoye on  +407493359685 and Mr Suleiman Ahmed on +40754859685.

“Sighetul Marmatiel, Maramures County, Mr P.O Akanmode +40752482924. At Isaccea, Tulcea County, David Abraham, +40764505900 and at Halmeu, Satu Mare County, Mohammed Liman, +40749828499.

“Affected Nigerian nationals are advised to ensure they arrive at the entry points with valid travel documents and cooperate with Romanian Immigration Officers at the borders,” the Romanian Mission stated.