JAMAICANS in Russia making plans to immediately leave that country

KINGSTON, March 7, 2022 -  Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Kamina Johnson-Smith says her ministry  has been in contact with eighteen Jamaican students in Russia, three (3) of whom are making plans to leave in the coming days, as they consider the Ministry's recommendation that Jamaican nationals  located in Russia leave that country, as the situation is becoming increasingly difficult as a consequence of various sanctions imposed in response to its military actions in Ukraine.

In a statement today, the Foreign Ministry says it has also been advised of four (4) Jamaican medical students in Tbilisi, Georgia with whom Contact has been made " and  who have been implored to consider their options including to find safe countries in which to seek shelter, until the situation in the Eastern European region becomes clearer. "I am hopeful that the rest of our students will make the right decision to leave,”  Senator Johnson Smith stressed.

The Foreign Minister pointed out that , “Flights to and from Russia have already been restricted as several countries close airspace to Russian flights. Visa and Mastercard have suspended all transactions with Russia and international financial transfers to and from Russia have also been suspended. This should all be seen as a clear indication of the worsening situation in Russia, and we therefore advise Jamaicans there, to leave as soon as practicable.”

The Foreign Affairs Minister further shared, “The Ministry is aware that several countries including France, the United Kingdom and the United States of America have advised their citizens to leave Russia.”

On the 3rd of March, the Ministry advised Jamaican nationals  in Russia, to seriously consider making arrangements to leave the country as soon as they are able to, in view of the growing impact of sanctions on that country in response to its invasion of Ukraine.

This followed an advisory on  the 27^th of February, when the foreign ministry encouraged Jamaican nationals in Russia to take precautionary measures for their safety and leave where necessary. There are now real indications that nationals in Russia and surrounding Eastern European countries will be severely impacted as a consequence of the crisis in Ukraine.

Minister Johnson-Smith advised that, “our Honorary Consul in Moscow, the Embassy of Jamaica in Berlin and our Consular Affairs Department will remain available to engage with Jamaicans and they may be contacted at  Schmargendorfer Strasse 32, 12159 Berlin, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., respectively.”

-30-