Maldivian Students In Ukraine Decide to Return Home, Despite Lack of Govt Assistance

Maldivian students residing in Ukraine have decided to return to the Maldives.

While Ukraine has been under the threat of an imminent Russian invasion for the past few weeks, the Russian announcement that it recognised the autonomy of several Ukrainian territories have made the outbreak of war seem extremely likely.

A Maldivian student residing in Ukraine told The Maldives Journal that most Maldivian students now wish to return home. The student said that all students, except for medical students preparing for their final year exams, have made preparations to return to the Maldives.

After tensions rose in Ukraine, Maldivian students living in Ukraine attempted to reach out to the Maldivian government for help. Some students had also requested for the government to help them return to the Maldives. The students received little more than an email from the Foreign Ministry which stated that the Maldivian government was closely following the developments in Ukraine.

Some airlines have suspended their flights to Ukraine, and the air-fare for tickets for flights from Ukraine to the Maldives have risen drastically. The government had not aided the Maldivian students in procuring air tickets back, either.

Although the Maldivian students have decided and prepared to return home, no means of travel have yet been arranged.