Russia-Ukraine: Speaker Nasheed express concern over tensions

Former President and Speaker of the Parliament Mohamed Nasheed expressed concern over the escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia.

In his Tweet, Nasheed said that the situation in Ukraine was worrying.

He went on to note that Ukrainians and Russians were some of the biggest visitors to Maldives.

“...if war breaks out, it will have all sorts of negative and unforeseen ramifications. The Government must be mindful of these possible impacts on us.”

On Monday, February 14, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a global statement saying that Russia would attack his country sometime today. Later on, Zelenskyy’s Spokesperson clarified that the statement was based on reports by media outlets.

Tensions between Ukraine and Russia escalated when Ukraine initiated talks to join North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

In mid-December 2021, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a set of demands which included a ban on Ukraine entering NATO and a reduction of NATO troops and military equipment in Eastern Europe in order for its military forces to be withdrawn.

These demands were rejected by the United States and other allies of NATO, and also warned that if Ukraine is invaded, there will be retaliation through means such as economic sanctions, and deploying assistance including small arms and other defensive weaponry. 

The situation continues to escalate, and along with it, the fear of war. Russia has stationed over 100,000 military personnel outside the borders of Ukraine as of the present.

Many countries have urged their nationals residing in Ukraine to leave the country, including the United States. The embassy of the United States in Ukraine has also been shut down.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that they are closely monitoring the situation developing in Ukraine and Europe.

Additionally, the ministry stated that they were in touch with locals in Ukraine and that the Maldives Embassy in Berlin, Germany (nearest diplomatic mission) is communicating with the students and their student leaders regularly.

So far, all students are in good health, and report normalcy in the cities they are based in.

The foreign ministry has urged locals against travelling to Ukraine during this period of instability.