Secretary of State Anthony Blinken
Anthony Blinken 5 Things You Need to Know About the Russia-Ukraine Conflict Today As America Watches the War in Ukraine, Biden Completes a Dangerous Deal with Iran item on the agenda” On Sunday, MORE vowed to support Moldova as the former Soviet republic takes in Ukrainian refugees amid Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
“We admire the generosity, the hospitality, the willingness to be such good friends for people in need, and indeed, we want to do our best to help you deal with the burden that this places,” Blinken said of Moldova. in a speech before a meeting with Prime Minister Natalya Gavrilita.
The Secretary of State also said that the United States is “ready to do everything possible to support the Ukrainian people, to support Ukraine’s neighbors who stand up for the Ukrainian people and help those who are in trouble, those who are fleeing, and, of course, by continuing to put pressure on the President Putin and his government to change course.”
Since the invasion of Ukraine began just under two weeks ago, more than 230,000 people have passed or taken refuge in Moldova, according to the Associated Press.
Now Moldovan officials have asked for security guarantees against a possible Russian attack, as Moscow has a military presence in the country’s disputed territory in Transnistria. Moldova has also requested international assistance as it hosts more than 120,000 Ukrainian refugees, AP reported.
On March 3, Moldova, which is not a member of NATO, also applied for EU membership.
“We are committed to the course towards membership in the European Union,” Gavrilita said during a conversation with Blinken. “And as we embark on this journey, we know we can count on the friendship and strong support of the United States.”
Last week images surfaced of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko standing in front of a map of hostilities that appears to show a planned invasion of the Moldovan breakaway region of Transnistria.
Also on Sunday, Blinken said the US was “actively discussing” a possible ban on Russian oil imports.
“Now we are in talks with our European partners and allies to consider in a coordinated manner the prospects for a ban on Russian oil imports, while making sure that there is still a corresponding supply of oil in world markets,” Blinken said during the interview. on CNN.