Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis on Wednesday promised that his country would would welcome all Ukrainian refugees fleeing war after the Russia invaded the country.
He said humanitarian hubs and camps would be opened as needed to accommodate migrants, Agerpres reported.
„Romania will take as many refugees as come. I don’t intend to refuse a single Ukrainian man or woman looking for refuge here. We will take those looking for shelter in Moldova as they don’t have the capacity,” he said in a joint appearance with Moldovan President Maia Sandu.
Romania currently has about 130,000 Ukrainian refugees who have sought shelter. The United Nations says 2.8 million have fled Ukraine since the invasion began on Feb. 24.
The majority_ 1.7 million_ have poured into Poland according to the figures released on Monday. Moldova has received 107,000 Ukrainians.
„These are the values we believe in. Refugees must be helped. Every one will be received and and given the assistance they deserve. It’s the least we can do for Ukrainians in this extremely hard time and the catastrophic situation they are in through Russia’s aggression,” he said.
„I’m not encouraging anyone in Ukraine to leave their homes and come here. But everyone who feels threatened by war and wants to come (to Romania) will be taken in.”
During a visit to Romania this month, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU would set up a humanitarian hub in northern Romania near the Ukrainian border and deploy at least 500 million euros from the EU budget for humanitarian assistance.
Other countries that have seen an influx of refugees are Hungary which has received 255,000, Slovakia which has taken 205,000 and Russia which has accepted 131,000, according to UN figures.
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen announces humanitarian hub in Romania
