Statement by Moldovan President following meeting of Supreme Security Council on 24 February on situation in Ukraine

Chisinau, Feb. 24 / MOLDPRES /- Dear citizens,

This morning, Russia launched military attacks on neighboring Ukraine, in flagrant violation of international law. The international community is unanimous in condemning this act of war.

In this context, we convened a meeting of the Supreme Security Council to analyze the situation created.

- We have established that the Government will ask the Parliament to declare a state of emergency.

- The Emergency Commission will also be convened today to take the necessary steps to manage this crisis and humanitarian challenges.

- We have ordered the intensification of the patrol efforts of the subdivisions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in order to prevent possible challenges.

- All decisions taken during the day will be communicated additionally to the public.

I ask the citizens of the Republic of Moldova who are visiting or staying in Ukraine to return home. All border crossings are open.

Several flights Ukraine landed in Chisinau today. We will take care of these people.

At the border crossing points with Ukraine there is an increase in transit flow, our institutions install sorting centers. We will help people who need our support. At the moment, we are ready to accommodate tens of thousands of people. At the same time, the government is in constant contact with international organizations and we have prepared several scenarios in case we have a larger flow of refugees.

We carefully monitor the evolution of the situation in the country and in the region. We are in contact with the authorities in the neighboring states and with other external partners. In this context, my request to the citizens is that we should all be understanding and ready to help each other. I call on the local public administration authorities to be available on duty as well, and to work with the central authorities, if necessary.

Dear citizens,

All state institutions are on alert, there is a crisis management center. Our priority is to keep people safe.

Photo: Presidency