Moldova Faces Humanitarian, Security Crisis Over Ukraine War

Moldova is facing massive challenges after almost 70,000 Ukrainian citizens entered the country seeking shelter from Russia's invasion, according to Moldovan Border Police figures on Monday.

President Maia Sandu on Sunday visited the Otaci-Mohyliv-Podilsk border crossing in the Ocnita district to inspect how the authorities were coping with the growing flow of refugees.

"We are with the people of Ukraine. Their testimonies remind us of the importance of peace and restoring security in our region. Moldova is a neutral, peaceful country, and our call for all is to restore peace," Sandu said.

Moldova has been promised help from the international community to tackle the humanitarian crisis caused by the refugees flowing in from Ukraine.

Sandu talked at the weekend with French President Emmanuel Macron, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Oliver Varhelyi, European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte.

She requested immediate assistance to cover the country's needs generated by the continuing security crisis and to support Moldova's economic resilience.

Moldova is already struggling with its own economic difficulties, as inflation rose to 16.56 per cent, and as the price for Russian gas, supplies increased.

On the other hand, Moldova is also keeping an eye on the Russian-supported breakaway region of Transnistria, where 1,500 to 2,000 Russian soldiers have been stationed for almost 30 years.

Sandu said there are no signs of specific military operations in the breakaway region, but structures were on alert. "There is no information that would lead to the conclusion that something is being...