Consulate of Peru in Kiev: “The borders are collapsed, but the Peruvian community is safeguarding itself”

The powerful military offensive launched by Russia on Ukraine has caused a massive flight of residents in that country in recent hours. In the midst of all the chaos that the European nation is experiencing, Juan Olivas Cornejo, in charge of the consular section of the Honorary Consulate of Peru in Kyiv, attends a phone call from El Comercio.

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The diplomatic office, opened in 1998 and reporting directly to the Peruvian embassy in Warsaw, has increased its efforts in recent weeks to get in touch with all nationals who are in Ukraine.

“Our role is to safeguard the integrity of our fellow citizens, even more so in this situation of imminent Russian invasion where we do not know what awaits us tomorrow”, Olive comments.

According to data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided to Trade84 compatriots were registered on the electoral roll in Ukraine for the 2021 elections. However, the real figure would be almost four times higher.

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—You have indicated that there are 291 Peruvians residing in Ukraine…

In total we are around 320, of which we have contacted 291 who have all their papers in order and up to date. That is more or less the number of nationals with whom we have contact here in Ukraine.

—How has your work with the Peruvian community changed during these weeks of growing tension?

Last week we have coordinated with the embassy in Warsaw and with the General Directorate (of Communities Abroad) of our Foreign Ministry to draw up a contingency plan. Today Thursday 24 is the most critical day due to the entire war situation. It has been a very difficult day because the Ukrainians have chosen to evacuate and have reached the borders with Poland and other countries to the west of Ukraine. The borders are collapsed. The Peruvian community, thank God, has taken it easy, almost everyone is safeguarding themselves and putting themselves in a safe place. However, we have been able to confirm that there is a group that came for tourism and has been stranded after the cancellation of the flights.

“What will be done in that case?”

That is what the contingency plan is for, we will make it possible for them to meet in Kiev and see how to transfer them by land to the border with Poland. Possibly this Friday the 25th we will have the first group to make the necessary coordination and transfer them.

—How many Peruvians are stranded?

There are 5 people, three are already confirmed and we are waiting for the other two.

—After Kiev, the Peruvian community is concentrated in Kharkov, one of the main targets during the Russian bombing. Did any national suffer damage, whether material or personal, during the offensive?

No no no. Thanks to the fact that our relationship with them is fluid, we know that up to now there has been no problem with any of them.

How do you expect the situation to evolve over the next few days?

We don’t know what will happen tomorrow. The Russian troops are advancing quite fast. The information we have is that provided by the Ukrainian side. But this is a total uncertainty, we do not know what can happen.

Remember that the Foreign Ministry has provided the following numbers and email addresses for Peruvians in an emergency situation in Ukraine.

• Cel. Emerg.: (+48) 601 083 987 – Counselor Luis Gonzalo Cieza, head of the Consular Section in Warsaw.
• Telephone Honorary Consulate in Kiev: (+38) 050 332 2765 (WhatsApp) – Igor Balenko Honorary Consul.
• Emails: Warsaw: [email protected] Kyiv: [email protected]

Also, if you have a complaint or case regarding the subject, do not hesitate to write to us:

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Source: Elcomercio

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