Ukraine may introduce visas for Russia as soon as in 2017 / Photo from UNIAN
First Deputy Chairman of the People's Front parliamentary faction Andriy Teteruk says the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, is currently evaluating how many votes could be gathered for the introduction of a visa regime with Russia, according to TV Channel 112 Ukraine.
"In my opinion, the next strategic issue that should be addressed by the parliament right after Ukraine's [EU] visa-free travel is the introduction of a visa regime with the Russian Federation ... The introduction of visas will be an adequate response by the Ukrainian authorities to all the aggression seen in past years," he said, Channel 112 Ukraine reported.
According to him, explanatory work on this issue is under way in parliament.
Read alsoKlimkin announces preparations for visa regime with Russia"And everything is being done to achieve this. You've got it right – they want to see predictions and the number of votes from lawmakers who are ready to vote for this. Explanatory work is under way. We must take this responsible step and introduce a visa regime with the Russian Federation," he stressed.
As UNIAN reported, Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs Pavlo Klimkin on December 22, 2016, announced preparations for the introduction of a visa regime with Russia.
On December 30, Verkhovna Rada Chairman Andriy Parubiy said he hoped that the parliament would be able to come to an agreement on the introduction of visas with Russia from 2017.