According to Reuters, the defense minister of Romania says the country will 500,000 Ukrainian refugees if the situation in Ukraine worsens.

“There are several estimates, but we could receive over 500,000 refugees, that is … the number for which we have prepared alongside the interior ministry and other institutions,” Defense Minister Vasile Dîncu said.

“There is a plan prepared for all large cities, there are areas for this near the borders,” he added.

According to Reuters, Romania, which borders Ukraine, prepared for a refugee flow during the 2014 Ukraine-Russia crisis. Then, Russia invaded and annexed Crimea, but did not get as many people as predicted.

Several surrounding nations such as Poland and Hungary will accept refugees.

Russian President Vladimir Putin dispatched soldiers into separatist areas in eastern Ukraine on Monday. He had acknowledged them as independent earlier in the day. The move, which the US dubbed an invasion on Tuesday, heightened regional tensions substantially.

Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, stated on Monday that he will not give Russia any territory.

Source: thehill.com