Moldovan govt asks parliament to declare state of emergency - President Sandu

CHISINAU. Feb 24 (Interfax) - The Moldovan government will ask the parliament to declare a state of emergency in Moldova in the context of the Ukraine situation, Moldovan President Maia Sandu said on Thursday, after a meeting of the Moldovan Supreme Security Council.

"Russia has flagrantly breached international law," Sandu said.

"Given the circumstances, the government will ask the parliament to announce a nationwide state of emergency. The Commission for Emergency Situations will meet to consider crisis management measures. Police patrols will be enhanced in order to prevent provocations," she said.

Sandu urged Moldovan citizens to urgently return home from Ukraine.

"All checkpoints are open on the Moldovan-Ukrainian border, and additional personnel have been deployed to facilitate arrivals in Moldova. A number of flights arrived in Chisinau from Ukraine this morning. We will help everyone who needs it. We will also help refugees. Moldova is ready to take tens of thousands of people from Ukraine. There are various scenarios in case the number of refugees increases," Sandu said.

She asked the population to be patient and calm and noted that "all government agencies will be on high alert."

Sandu convened a meeting of the Moldovan Supreme Security Council on Thursday in connection with the Ukraine situation.