Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday sought the help of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for safe return of Goans from crisis-hit Ukraine.
In a twitter post, Sawant said, "We are concerned about the Goans in Ukraine who are considering to return to India in the light of ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis. I request Union Minister for External Affairs @DrSJaishankar ji for help in the safe return of Goans. I am keeping track of the situation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military operation in Ukraine early Thursday. As Putin spoke, big explosions were heard in Kyiv, Kharkiv and other areas of Ukraine.
Goa's NRI Commissioner Narendra Sawaikar also wrote a letter to the Ministry of External Affairs in this connection.
Many Goans are currently residing in Ukraine due to various purposes, including higher studies, and due to the ongoing tension between Russia and Ukraine, I have started receiving requests for help and assistance from them to return to India, Sawaikar said in the letter.
He said Goans in Ukraine are anxious to temporarily return till the situation normalises there.
The Indian embassy in Ukraine has issued a new advisory for citizens, asking all those who are travelling to Kyiv to return to their cities, especially safer places along the western bordering countries.