February 24 (SeeNews) - Moldovan president Maia Sandu said on Thursday that the government will ask Parliament to introduce a state of emergency following Russia's armed invasion of Ukraine, and that the country is ready to receive Ukrainian refugees.
"The Emergency Situations Commission will be convened today in order to take the necessary steps to manage this crisis and humanitarian challenges. We have ordered intensified patrol activities of the interior ministry subdivisions in order to prevent possible challenges," Sandu said during a live-streamed press briefing following a Superior Security Council meeting.
Sandu also said that there is an increase in transit flow at the border crossing points with Ukraine and that Moldovan authorities are setting up centres to help people who need 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 organisations and we have prepared several scenarios in case we have a larger influx of refugees," the president added.
Sandu condemned Russia's military actions in Ukraine, saying that they are "in flagrant violation of international law".