Ukraine closes border with Russia

All border checkpoints on the Ukrainian-Russian border will be closed.

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko signed a decree on September 24 that brings into force the decision of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine “On Urgent Measures to Protect Ukraine and Bolster its Defence Potential” that was pubished on August 28. The document orders the Cabinet of Ministers to solve the issue on temporary closing all checkpoints on the border with the Russian Federation, LigaBusinessInform reports.

“The issue of temporarily closing all border crossing checkpoints on the state border of Ukraine and the Russian Federation to vehicles, sea and pedestrian traffic must be solved in due order. The issue on temporarily closing border crossing checkpoints for other transport can be settled if necessary,” the document reads.

The document also proposes to “take measures to carry out the unilateral demarcation of the state border of Ukraine and the Russian Federation and ensure its proper technical maintenance, also with the use of international technical assistance.”

The Cabinet of Minister is also instructed to work out and submit to the president an urgent bill on “repealing Ukraine's non-bloc status”. It is expected that the bill will be introduced to the parliament for consideration.