The Government will today ask Parliament to declare a state of emergency. The Commission for Exceptional Situations will be convened today to agree the measures that need to be taken to manage the crisis and the humanitarian challenges, President Maia Sandu stated after the meeting of the Supreme Security Council that was convened to dismiss the situation in Ukraine, IPN reports.

“I ask the citizens of the Republic of Moldova who are on visit or stay in Ukraine to return home. All the border crossing points are open and work according to a prolonged program, with additional staff. A number of flights heading for Ukraine landed in Chisinau today. We will take care of these people,” said President Maia Sandu. She called on the people to be understanding and be ready to help each other.

According to the official, the subdivisions of the Ministry of Home Affairs will step up the patrolling efforts so as to prevent eventual provocations. The number of crossings through the Moldovan-Ukrainian border has increased. The Moldovan institutions are setting up temporary assistance centers to help the people who need aid. Steps are being taken to house tens of thousands of people. A number of scenarios were designed in case the flows of refugees grow.

“Dear citizens, all the state institutions are on alert. A crisis management center works. Our priority is to ensure the security of people,” said President Sandu.

Ukraine decreed a state of emergency. Explosions started to be heard in a number of Ukrainian cities. In the morning of February 24, the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin announced a special military operation in Donbas.