Moldova says it will stay neutral on Ukraine

Moldova will always act "through the prism of neutrality," Prime Minister of the Republic Natalia Gavrilița said at a press conference on Monday, Report informs citing Interfax.

Answering a question about the possibility of Moldovan citizens joining the Ukrainian "international legion", she said that the government is not involved in this.

"We are a neutral country. And we will always act through the prism of neutrality. The government does not participate in such actions," Gavrilița emphasized.

She also stated that "the situation in the country is stable and under control, there are no risks for citizens."

Chisinau will stick to the constitutional neutrality principle in the Ukraine situation, Moldovan Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Nicu Popescu said.

"Moldova is a neutral state. This is what we rely on in this case. We will not take any side in the conflict. Moldova will not join any sanctions either," Popescu said live on the TV8 channel on Monday night, Report informs, citing foreign media.

"The Moldovan economy is too integrated and dependent on Russia," he said in response to a journalist's question why this is so.

"A decision to impose sanctions on Russia is not an easy decision, this is a very hard decision that could be made by stronger and more prosperous countries than Moldova," he said, adding that after 2014, Moldova decided it would not join the sanctions imposed on Russia by the European Union or the US.

"We support this course. The decision was made for economic considerations, as the Moldovan economy is too dependent on relations with Russia, including those economic," he said.

Currently, "Chisinau is maintaining dialogue with Moscow at the technical level. This is a matter of assistance to the Moldovan citizens who are unable to return home because of the Ukraine situation. We are also discussing cargo transportation, return of Moldovan transport companies to the country, etc.," Popescu said.

"Moldova will continue to help all refugees in need," he said.

"We provide full support to the refugees who need our assistance. We cannot act differently because people from the neighboring country need help. As to getting involved in the conflict, we stick to the principle of constitutional neutrality," Popescu said.