In an exclusive comment to Interfax-Ukraine, Ukraine’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Israel Yevhen Korniychuk spoke about evacuation routes from Israel for Ukrainians wishing to leave the country due to the deteriorating security situation in the region.
According to the diplomat, there have been direct hits in Israel, although few. In total, more than 10 people have been killed and about 130 wounded to varying degrees. The airport was closed at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday. The embassy is constantly updating information on its website for Ukrainian citizens who are temporarily staying in Israel and have not yet managed to leave the country.
Kornichuk emphasized that it is necessary to strictly follow the instructions of the Israeli Home Front Command; constantly monitor official reports from local authorities and the Embassy of Ukraine in the State of Israel; minimize movement and avoid places of mass gatherings; and find out in advance the location of the nearest shelters.
According to the diplomat, the embassy is keeping track of citizens seeking assistance in leaving the country, and at the moment, about 30 people have signed up for evacuation. He noted that the number of people wishing to leave will increase, so the embassy will try to organize group departures, in particular by booking buses to the Taba checkpoint (border with Egypt) at the expense of sponsors.
According to Korniychuk, private transport is still operating in the country, so Ukrainian citizens can evacuate independently. Currently, there are two routes available.
Route through Egypt – get to Eilat, cross the border on foot at Taba (open 24/7, crossing at any time). A valid Ukrainian passport (valid for at least 6 months) is required. If your stay in Egypt exceeds 14 days or you plan to travel from Sinai to Cairo, etc., you will need to purchase a visa for approximately $30 in cash. From Taba to Sharm el-Sheikh Airport – ≈160 km (shuttle buses or private taxi ≈$150).
The diplomat specifically clarified that charter flights from Sharm el-Sheikh are only available to those who arrived in Egypt on these same charter flights earlier. Independent departure does not guarantee boarding a charter flight. It is recommended to purchase only scheduled tickets.
The second evacuation route through Jordan is via the Allenby Bridge checkpoint. It takes 1.5-2 hours to get from Tel Aviv to the border. After crossing the border, it takes about an hour to get to Amman airport by car or bus (which run regularly).
However, during a conversation with the ambassador, additional restrictions became known. The Ukrainian Embassy in Jordan published a post stating that the Kingdom’s Civil Aviation Authority had announced a partial and temporary closure of Jordanian airspace to all aircraft (arrival, departure, transit). The closure is in effect daily from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. the following day (local time), starting on the evening of March 2 and continuing until further notice.
Passengers are advised to contact their airlines directly for schedule details and possible changes.
“The embassy continues to monitor the situation and update its recommendations on its official website,” he concluded.
Hotline of the Embassy of Ukraine in Israel: +972 54 667 67 82 (Viber, Telegram), email: consul_il@mfa.gov.ua
As reported, due to the escalation of the security situation in the Middle East and the threat of rocket attacks and assaults, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends that Ukrainian citizens refrain from traveling to the State of Israel until the situation stabilizes and reminds them of the current recommendation to refrain from traveling to the Islamic Republic of Iran and to leave its territory, which was announced in early January.
We recommend that all Ukrainian citizens in the countries of the region remain vigilant, closely follow the reports of the local competent authorities of the countries of stay, strictly observe security measures, and always carry identity documents with them.
On February 28, the US and Israel launched a joint large-scale military operation against Iran (called “Lion’s Roar” in Israel and “Epic Fury” in the US). The strikes targeted military, missile, and nuclear facilities, as well as the country’s leadership. As a result of the attacks, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed, along with a number of high-ranking officials, including the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the defense minister.
In response, Iran launched massive missile and drone strikes on Israel, as well as on US military bases and facilities in the Persian Gulf countries (UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan). There have been civilian casualties in Israel (including nine people killed in Beit Shemesh by a direct ballistic missile strike), wounded US military personnel, and significant damage to infrastructure.
Ten high-power generators donated by the Italian Civil Protection Department have arrived in Ukraine as part of an agreement between Presidents Giorgia Meloni and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to the Facebook page of the Italian Embassy in Ukraine.
“As with the more than 300 boilers, Italy continues to support the Ukrainian people with concrete, coordinated assistance aimed at protecting the most vulnerable segments of the population. In winter, under constant pressure on civilian infrastructure, the ability to maintain a constant power supply can be crucial for people’s safety and dignity,” said Italian Ambassador Carlo Formosa.
It is reported that the generators, with a total capacity of 1,500 kVA, are mounted on wheels, allowing them to be quickly deployed and moved according to operational needs.
“Italy continues to make efforts to ensure the uninterrupted functioning of essential services for the Ukrainian population in conditions where Russian attacks continue and winter temperatures remain extremely low,” the embassy stressed.
A formal reception was held in Kyiv to mark the Independence Day of the Republic of Poland, during which the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Ukraine, Piotr Lukashevich, gave a speech on the importance of independence, national unity, and solidarity with Ukraine.
In his address, Ambassador Łukaszewicz emphasized that this holiday is not only the most important national day for Poles, but also a profound reminder of the path that Poland has traveled and continues to build. He stressed that Poles honor the generations who dreamed, fought, and ultimately restored the sovereign Polish state.
The ambassador recalled the words of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who said this year in Gdańsk: “Niepodległość to wspólna sprawa” (Independence is a common cause). “It is not only a personal achievement, but a shared responsibility, res publica. We celebrate the miracle of unity, when, after many years of division, Poles from different regions and with different views united and rebuilt their state,” the diplomat said.
He stressed that Poland’s greatest triumphs were never the result of unanimity, but rather the result of solidarity. According to the ambassador, patriotism does not mean pitting one Pole against another, but rather unity and the joint construction of something greater.
Drawing parallels with Polish history, Lukaszewicz said that Poles’ thoughts naturally turn to the Ukrainian people, who are now fighting for the same thing that Poles fought for not so long ago: the right to live in freedom, dignity, and sovereignty.
The ambassador emphasized that today Poland is a strong and free state, a modern democratic country, an active member of the EU and NATO, and a stable partner in a changing world. He mentioned Poland’s economic achievements, as well as the launch of the first Polish military satellite, emphasizing that the country’s strength comes not only from economic or political successes, but above all from the unity of society and the willingness of each generation to take responsibility.
Lukasevich noted that independence does not exist in isolation and that freedom in the modern world is interdependent, so the security of one nation strengthens the security of all.
He commented separately on the recent attack on the Polish railway, which Warsaw considers an act of sabotage. According to him, Poland is well aware of terrorists and opponents, and these threats will not break its resolve.
At the same time, the ambassador thanked Poland’s allies and partners, in particular Ukraine, NATO and EU countries, as well as states whose military contingents are stationed on Polish territory. “You are with us, and we are with you,” he said.
Poland was the first country in the world to recognize Ukraine’s independence on December 2, 1991. Diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Poland were established on January 4, 1992, after which the Polish Embassy in Kyiv and the Ukrainian Embassy in Warsaw began operating in 1992.
Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire Neil Crompton has been appointed as the new British ambassador to Ukraine.
“Mr. Crompton will take up his post in October 2025,” according to a statement on the British government’s website.
Crompton has been appointed ambassador to Ukraine to replace Martin Harris, Knight of the Order of the British Empire, who is moving to another position in the diplomatic service.
Neil Crompton is a British diplomat with many years of experience. From 2020 to 2025, he served as British ambassador to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. From 2015 to 2019, he was director of the Middle East and North Africa Department at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). From 2014 to 2015, he headed the Department for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and from 2011 to 2014, the Department for South Asia and Afghanistan.
From 2007 to 2011, Crompton worked as an advisor on foreign and security policy in Washington. From 2005 to 2007, he coordinated Iran issues at the Foreign Office, and from 2003 to 2005, he headed the Iraq policy unit. He began his career at the Foreign Office in 1995.
Source: https://interfax.com.ua/news/diplomats/1114739.html
On Thursday, October 2, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Oleksandr Mishchenko accepted copies of the credentials of the newly appointed Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to Ukraine, Thomas Lund-Sørensen, according to the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to the Foreign Ministry’s website, Mishchenko noted that the new ambassador’s extensive professional experience will be extremely valuable for the further development of bilateral relations.
He also praised Denmark’s leadership during its presidency of the EU Council in the second half of 2025 and its unprecedented support for Ukraine. Denmark is the absolute world leader in terms of aid relative to GDP – 2.89%, with total military aid reaching EUR9.4 billion.
In turn, Lund-Sørensen emphasized Denmark’s commitment to further support Ukraine, strengthen its defense capabilities, assist in its path to EU accession, and promote mutual benefits from the application of the “Danish model,” which is also an investment in the security of all of Europe.
On Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accepted the credentials of the newly appointed ambassadors of the Czech Republic, Norway, and Germany.
“I accepted the credentials and spoke with the newly appointed ambassadors of the Czech Republic, Norway, and Germany,” he wrote on Telegram.
The president also congratulated them on the start of their diplomatic missions and thanked them for their countries’ support of Ukraine.
They also discussed strengthening cooperation, particularly in the security and defense sector.
“Together, we are adding to the security and stability of the whole of Europe and moving towards a reliable and guaranteed peace in Ukraine,” Zelenskyy concluded.
