Efforts under way to evacuate Jordanians from Ukraine

AMMAN — The Foreign Ministry said that counsellors on the border crossings helped 19 Jordanians cross the Ukraine-Poland border crossing. 

The counsellors also helped 19 Jordanians to move through the border crossings between Ukraine and Romania, eight through Ukraine's border with Hungary, eight through Ukraine's border with Slovakia, and seven others through Ukraine's border with Moldova, the ministry said, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Jordanian nationals have been provided with all necessary assistance to ensure their safety and ease their return to the Kingdom, the ministry said. 

Earlier in the day, the Foreign Ministry held a meeting to discuss the latest developments in light of the escalation and military operations in Ukraine, Petra, reported.

In the meeting, which came as a result of the Foreign Ministry’s “diligent follow-up”, officials discussed the situation of Jordanian expatriates in Ukraine, the emergency plan to deal with the crisis and the efforts of diplomatic staff present at the Ukrainian borders with Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Hungary.

The meeting also covered the cases that have been dealt with so far as well as the procedures and services that have been provided to Jordanians who were able to reach the border points, including the issuance of consular and travel documents, and offering bus and accommodation services.

The meeting also discussed the difficulties and challenges facing a number of Jordanians trying to reach border points, as holders of dual Jordanian and Ukrainian citizenship are subject to Ukrainian decisions and regulations regarding their ability to leave the country, according to information the ministry received from some Jordanians residing there, Petra reported. 

Participants also reviewed the issue of the long-hour waits in queues at border crossings, which extend for kilometres in some areas, as well as reports that the authorities are giving priority to Ukrainian citizens in some border areas.

In this context, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has contacted Ukrainian authorities regarding the issue of holders of dual citizenship, urging them to provide safe corridors to facilitate the exit of Jordanians from the border crossings, in a manner that does not expose Jordanians to danger on the roads.

Since the beginning of military operations in Ukraine, about 50 Jordanians have been able to cross into Romania, Poland, Slovakia and Moldova, Petra reported. 

The crisis management unit at the ministry and the embassy in Ankara, which is accredited to Ukraine, and the representatives of the border embassies with Ukraine continue to actively follow up and contact Jordanians.

They have also been receiving calls from Jordanians and are instructing them to take utmost caution, adhere to the instructions issued by the local authorities and to not take any measures that would endanger their lives.

Also on Saturday, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research on launched an e-platform to follow up on the conditions of Jordanian students studying in Ukrainian universities. The ministry's spokesperson, Mohannad Al Khatib, invited the Jordanian students to complete the online form via https://rce.mohe.gov.jo/ukraine, noting that ensuring Jordanian students safe return to the Kingdom is a priority, Petra reported.