Small groups of Egyptians
in Ukraine have arrived back home, while around 1,000 more are on their way to
Bucharest, the capital of Romania, Minister of Emigration Nabila Makram has
said.
In remarks to media, Makram noted that 80 expats have also arrived at the Ukraine-Poland border.
This comes as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues for the third day, having claimed the lives of 198 Ukrainians, according to the Ukrainian health ministry, and caused tens of thousands of residents to flee from the country.
Around 6,000 Egyptian nationals lived in Ukraine prior to the invasion, with students representing a majority, according to officials.
In remarks to media, Makram said around 3,000 Egyptian students are in Ukraine, noting that she has held three virtual conversations with the students stranded in the country.
Over the past few days, Egyptian embassies have urged citizens in western parts of Ukraine to head to the border crossings with Romania, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia, which lie west of Ukraine, to return back to Egypt through these countries.
The embassy, however, advised citizens in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv or eastern cities to stay at home or in shelters, adding that negotiations are underway to secure a safe exit for those in the eastern parts.
Makram urged students to abide by the embassy’s instructions and the security measures announced in the country.
This comes as Kyiv authorities have extended the curfew from 5pm to 8am local time, warning that violators will be considered “members of the enemy's sabotage and reconnaissance groups.”
Source: Al-Ahram Online
