Embassy of Ukraine in the Netherlands has been receiving information recently, about certain Dutch companies advertising intermediation services in the area of arranging the travel and stay of Dutch and other nationals on the territory of Crimea (such as booking flights or hotels, etc.) that is being temporarily and illegally occupied by the Russian Federation.

We would like to draw the attention of such companies and persons who use their services to the following:

On June 4, 2015 the Government of Ukraine has adopted the Rules of Travel to and from the Temporarily Occupied Territory of Ukraine, which regulate the entry to and leaving from the territory of Crimea for citizens of Ukraine, foreign nationals and stateless persons.

The Rules state inter alia that foreign nationals and stateless persons are allowed to enter and leave the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea exclusively through special checkpoints upon presenting a passport and a permit issued by the territorial office of the State Migration Service of Ukraine.

These checkpoints as stated by the Rules are:

• for entry/leaving by car: “Kalanchak”, “Chaplynka”, “Chongar”

• for entry/leaving by railway: “Kherson”, “Melitopol”, “Vadym”, “Novooleksiyivka”

Most importantly, tourism is not listed in the Rules as a possible reason for applying for a permit at the State Migration Service of Ukraine and to enter the territory of Crimea legally.

In consequence, any foreign nationals entering the territory of Crimea by means and routes other than provided by the Rules (including by commercial flights to Crimea from the territory of third countries) will be considered as those violating the law of entry to the territory of Ukraine and may be held accountable in accordance with Ukrainian law that foresees criminal responsibility for such violations.

With regard to that, we would like to draw the attention of Dutch companies, advertising intermediation services in the area of arranging the travel and stay of Dutch and other nationals on the territory of Crimea, to the fact that advertising such services at the very least may mislead their clients into unknowingly committing a violation of Ukrainian law that entails criminal responsibility. Therefore, we encourage such companies to take measures to prevent their clients from making an uninformed decision about traveling to Crimea.

We will also gladly answer any questions and provide extensive explanations to foreign nationals and companies as regards the Rules of Travel to and from the Temporarily Occupied Territory of Ukraine.