At the moment, 153 citizens of Ukraine, as well as members of their families, have expressed a desire to evacuate from Afghanistan, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said.
“Latest data: 153 Ukrainians have contacted diplomats and asked for help in returning home,” Kuleba wrote on Facebook on Aug. 17.
He clarified that these are citizens of Ukraine who are at a military base where they performed work under a contract, Ukrainians of Afghan origin who visited relatives, as well as businessmen and other citizens of Ukraine.
“The most difficult thing now is that they make it to the Kabul airport,” the diplomat stressed.
Kuleba also noted that information on social networks and the media about “Ukrainians abandoned to the mercy of fate by the state” is untrue.
“I understand that emotions are going through the roof, someone is deliberately escalating, someone is scared, someone is trying to show that they know the solution to all problems, but they don’t hear it. We are in constant contact with everyone who shows themselves. We know who is where, we know that there is no direct threat to the life of citizens yet,” the Ukrainian Foreign Minister said.
He added that the state is working hourly to help its citizens.
“We will help foreigners too, but the citizens of Ukraine are an absolute priority, because we do not abandon our own people. There are several specific return scenarios that are now being implemented. For security reasons, I cannot disclose details, but we are working to make everything possible,” Kuleba said.
