The Moldovan citizens who intend to travel to Ukraine are recommended to be maximally prudent when crossing the border and to be ready for additional checks on the part of the Ukrainian side. The warnings were given by Prime Minister Pavel Filip in a press briefing following the escalation of tensions between Russia and Ukraine and the decreeing of a state of war in Ukraine. Pavel Filip noted Moldova faces now no threats to its security, IPN reports.

For more information about the security of trips to the neighboring state, the citizens can call the green line (022)259717 that is available nonstop or can seek help from Moldova’s embassies.

In the press beefing, the Premier said the Moldovan authorities are concerned about the dramatic escalation of tensions between Moscow and Kiev. “This incident is the most serious one after the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation in 2014,” stated Pavel Filip. According to him, such developments do not contribute to the settlement of the conflict. “The Republic of Moldova condemns the unilateral and provocative actions of the Russian Federation. We are near the Ukrainian authorities, including in their approaches to defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” stated the official.

Pavel Filip also said the Moldovan authorities are permanently in touch with the Ukrainian authorities. The border crossing points work unrestrictedly, but the Border Police were informed that the Ukrainian side stepped up the security measures.

The Kerch Strait incident occurred on November  25, 2018 when a Russian cargo ship stopped three Ukrainian Navy vessels from passing under the Kerch Strait Bridge. Russia accused the Ukrainian ships of illegally entering its territorial waters. Since Ukrainian Navy refused to leave its waters when being warned, Russia fired on and seized three Ukrainian vessels off the coast of annexed Crimea, injuring three servicemen. Ukraine described the incident as a provocation. President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko signed a decree on the martial law and Parliament approved it the next day, imposing the martial law in the regions that border Russia and the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova for a 30-day period.