Human Lives Human Rights: Just in 10 days, more than 1.5 million refugees from Ukraine have crossed into neighboring countries, its the fastest-growing refugee crisis in Europe since the Second World War.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi reported about the scenes he had witnessed on the border between Ukraine and Moldova, referencing the many “stories of separation, anguish and loss” he had heard and expressing “respect” for Moldovan officials helping refugees.
Meanwhile, Moldova’s welcoming of refugees has been an inspiration to the world.
Russia has troops stationed in the disputed Moldovan territory of Transnistria, and they are being closely watched as Russian President Vladimir Putin presses on with the invasion of Ukraine.
Hurting Russia’s economy
Moldova says more than 230,000 refugees have crossed its border with Ukraine since the war began on 24 February.
Sandu is a former World Bank economist who came to power in 2019 and won a larger mandate in elections in July promising closer ties with the West.
Moldova on Thursday formally applied to join the European Union in a move likely to rile Moscow.
At least 120,000 of those who have crossed into Moldova remain in the country, Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita said.
“For a small country like Moldova, this is a very large number,” and Moldova will need assistance to deal with the refugees, she said.
