Moldova ready to take in more Ukrainian refugees come winter, Sandu says
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Moldova is ready to take in more Ukrainian refugees this winter if Russia inflicts another humanitarian crisis upon the country through its targeted mass attacks, President Maia Sandu said on Oct. 8.
"Since 2022, more than one million Ukrainians fleeing the war have arrived in Moldova, and around 100,000 have found a home here. If this winter in Ukraine is as difficult as the whole world expects, we are ready to receive as many people as need safety," Sandu said at the Moldova Security Forum in Chisinau, as reported by Moldovan media outlet Newsmaker.
Russia's targeting of Ukraine's energy infrastructure last winter led to prolonged blackouts and heating outages across the country during sub-zero temperatures.
Speaking about preparations for the coming winter, Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi said Ukraine is better prepared than last year, but warned that Russia has strengthened its own capabilities by stockpiling jet-powered drones and missiles.
At the Moldova Security Forum, former Moldovan Prime Minister and current Presidential Special Envoy Dorin Recean also said that Moldova is preparing for the coming winter logistics-wise, as Ukraine and Moldova's energy grids are interconnected.
Moldova has dealt with repeated violations of its airspace during Russia's attacks against Ukraine.
After five Russian Banderol missiles and drones, exploded on the country's territory during the overnight attack against Ukraine on Oct. 3, Sandu warned that "(Russia's) war is dangerously reaching Moldova."
In response to the growing threat, Moldova announced on Oct. 7 that it plans to build protective shelters at border crossings with Ukraine where border guards and people in nearby areas can take cover during drone incursions.
