The war in Ukraine brought back the word “Chernobyl” and the idea of use of nuclear weapons into the focus. The speculations about this subject are irresponsible and dangerous, said President Maia Sandu, who addressed a message of commemoration on the occasion of the 36th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, IPN reports.

President Sandu noted that over 3,500 inhabitants of Moldova were then dispatched to liquate the consequences of the biggest nuclear disaster in history. They worked in an extremely dangerous zone of the atomic power plant, exposed themselves to the risks and sacrificed their health, while now over half of them are no longer alive.

“Those who survived cherish the memory of their comrades and support the families for which Chernobyl means loss of the dear people. I express my gratitude to all those who during those days showed heroism and saved hundreds of thousands of people from the danger of radioactive contamination. The Chernobyl tragedy became an example of how no state should sacrifice their citizens,” President Maia Sandu said in her message, reminding that the radioactive cloud expanded on a large part of the European continent and reached a number of states, while the accident’s long-term effects of on the life and health of people and the environment continue to be studied.

“If we value life and want to offer the people a future in a safe environment, the international community should toughen up the nuclear security norms so as to avoid the repeat of such accidents. In particular, we cannot allow the conscious use of nuclear weapons. We will save lives only if the countries act cohesively, for the common good, placing the protection of the people and the environment at the forefront.”