Romania prepared to accept 500K Ukrainian refugees, official says

Romania is prepared to accept 500,000 Ukrainian refugees if the situation in Ukraine deteriorates, according to the country’s defense minister, Reuters reported.

“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.

Romania, which borders Ukraine, prepared for an influx of refugees during the 2014 crisis between Ukraine and Russia, when Russia invaded and annexed Crimea, but did not receive as many people as expected, according to Reuters. 

“We are also not expecting a major influx coming here now, but one never knows,” Dîncu said.

Other neighbor countries such as Poland and Hungary have also said they are ready to take refugees if Russia invades Ukraine, Reuters noted. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday sent troops into separatist areas of eastern Ukraine that he had earlier on the day recognized as independent. The move, which the U.S. on Tuesday called an invasion, dramatically escalated tensions in the region.