Всем добрый день! Многие из Вас, кто заинтересован в судьбе нашей петиции, просили нас сделать перевод на английский язык, чтобы у Вас была возможность делиться петицией с знакомыми, друзьями и родственниками, проживающими в других странах. Ваша просьба была услышана, мы подготовили перевод. Надеемся, перевод петиции на английский язык поспособствует еще большему ее продвижению.
To the Federal and State Authorities of the Russian Federation and the United States of America
Dear Sirs/Madams,
We, citizens of the Russian Federation, demand the immediate reverse of the decision of April 30, 2021 on the termination of the issuance of all types of visas to the United States, except for diplomatic and some categories of immigration, on the territory of Russia, and also kindly request that both parties discuss the search for a solution and a compromise regarding the current situation at the upcoming meeting of Presidents Joseph Biden and Vladimir Putin.
We are indeed aware that the mutual sanctions of both states led to this demoralizing outcome. However, the policies should be aimed to benefit the people and all the law abiding citizens of their countries. We believe that common sense and humanitarian values should lead us to the future progress and mutual understanding and not bring us back to the past of the Cold War and cause disheartening associations in our memory. We are well aware that "world peace" is an Utopia term. On the political arena there will always be rivalry, conflicts of interests, misunderstandings, and battles for dominance. However, it should never happen at the expense of ordinary people who ultimately suffer from the next play of the political “chess game", whose lives and well-beings are put in dangerous, potentially devastating positions. Sanctions should only apply to those who are responsible for the political climate and are capable of making radical changes in their respective societies.
For your quick reference: before the coronavirus pandemic in Russia, about 200,000 residents of the Russian Federation yearly applied for the American visas. Visas were requested for various purposes: medical treatment, education, participation in sports competitions, family reunification, cultural exchange, seasonal work, scientific conferences, business travel and, of course, tourism. According to the most recent statistics, in 2019 alone, 251,037 Russians visited the United States.
On a separate note, we would like to highlight those applicants who have received and want to continue receiving visas to the United States for visiting purposes. Basically, this category of applicants consists of mostly adults or elderly people who travel to the States to visit their children and grandchildren who live in that country on a study or work visa and/or are permanent residents /US citizens. The inability to obtain such a visa puts an end for close and consistent family in-person communication. Do you know how many people are now suffering from the realization that they will not be able to see their loved ones indefinitely? Do you know how many people died while waiting for a visa application approval due to chronic diseases that worsened due to stress and general health deterioration? How many fiancés and fiancées cannot get to their beloved ones to marry and start a family? Since when should people fall in love by order of the state and not see their family for years? The presidents of both countries in their addresses to the nations reiterate the importance of the family in the role of the state. Are they just nothing but beautiful impressive speeches? Considerate amounts of financial resources are allocated to develop and maintain this aspect. As this is, in fact, commendable, we still need to resolve this visa turmoil that can lead to a larger humanitarian crisis. It is absolutely imperative to discuss the current visa situation by the leaders of the Russian Federation and the United States at the highest level. In this essential matter, the problem must be settled for the people of both countries before it reaches a dangerous level of humanitarian catastrophe of massive proportions.
In addition, the United States are known all over the world for unique medical care system and methods of treatment, which have no analogues in other countries. It is absolutely barbaric to deprive people of the opportunity to restore their health and preserve their lives.
The coronavirus pandemic has been keeping us apart and in suspense for more than a year and has not allowed us to realize our plans. The global economy is in decline. The inability to obtain American visas on the territory of the Russian Federation can lead to new health issues from to stress and inability to travel. We are trumpeted from all the media that we need to work harder to get out of the financial crisis. So let's focus on resolving the visa crisis because it is essentially a major tragedy for massive numbers of people. Please give us the opportunity to work, study, receive medical care, travel and see our loved ones without long queues for a visa or forced travel elsewhere outside of Russia where Russian citizens are not necessarily welcome and may or may not get serviced in their consular departments. Such trips for a visa incur additional costs and restrictions and require lengthy time frames. Additionally, not everyone will be able to implement such trips due to health problems.
On January 29, 2021, the United States and the Russian Federation extended the START-3 treaty for another 5 years. This is great but the best protection for our citizens and voters is not the production of latest weapons or its reductions. It is understanding people’s needs, protecting their interests and providing humanitarian freedom of action within the framework of the law. Article 27 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation states: everyone can freely travel outside the Russian Federation. Please restore this opportunity for us! We ask and demand answers to this visa crisis immediately!
Thank you for your attention, understanding and immediate efforts to find solutions to this pressing issue.