Filat says Moldova is ready to help Russia handle wildfires

Moldova stands ready to offer assistance to Russia with liquidating wildfires and its effects, stated Premier Vlad Filat at a meeting with Vitali Tryapitsyn, charge d'affaires of the Russian Embassy in Chisinau, – Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting a governmental press release. The premier has suggested that the Russian authorities should specify what kind of assistance is needed. “In such difficult moments we have to be within call. It is natural to help each other. We stand ready to help you and those people who have suffered the effects of the fires”, said Vlad Filat. Vitali Tryapitsyn said in turn that the gesture was commendable, especially since Moldova itself was engaged in post-flood efforts. Russian authorities have declared a state of emergency as thousands of firefighters, soldiers and rescuers are battling to put out the country's worst wildfires in decades, which are ravaging across western Russia. The resulting smog has blanketed the capital Moscow, making surgical masks an absolutely essential accessory for its residents. A number of embassies in Moscow have started evacuating their personnel.