Ukrainians celebrated the introduction of visa-free travel to most EU countries from midnight on Sunday, June 11, with a countdown in Kiev’s European Square on Saturday night.

The rally was addressed by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, saying that the event signalled “the final break of our state with the Russian Empire.”

Ukrainians are now able to travel to the Schengen Travel Area for up to 90 days without a visa provided they have a biometric passport. A work permit is not connected to the deal.