On Sunday, the diplomatic corps of the EU states had to go on an emergency mission in the Republic of Moldova.

At the request of the Moldovan government, the ambassadors accredited in Chișinău and the head of the EU delegation made a kind of pledge of allegiance: Moldova would not be abandoned, was the core message.

The message was captured on video so it could be shared across the internet.

Michael Martens

Correspondent for Southeast European countries based in Vienna.

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The background is a rumor that is making the rounds on the Russian network “Telegram”, which is particularly popular in Moldova, but also on other channels.

"Telegram" is used in particular (but not only) by younger people in Moldova as a central source of information.

According to the rumor, European Union member states are planning to close their embassies in Chisinau and withdraw staff from the country.

However, this is not the case, the diplomats assured: “There are rumors that we are leaving the country and abandoning you in a moment of need.

This is a reprehensible attempt to spread panic and fear among Moldovan citizens.” We are in a war – also in a news war.

It is true: “We are more determined than ever to be efficient and helpful.

Over the past few days, Moldova has received continuous financial and humanitarian support from the EU and its Member States.” It is now more important than ever to be in Moldova and to ensure that aid reaches those in need as quickly as possible.

The European Union stands with Ukraine and also with Moldova and its people.

"The tragedy overwhelms us"

Moldova, a state of around two and a half million inhabitants, is Ukraine's smallest and economically weakest neighboring country, but according to the government in Chișinău, has taken in more refugees from Ukraine in relation to its own population than any other state including Poland.

Moldovan Interior Minister Ana Revenco told the FAZ on Sunday: “This war has destabilized us all.

We are overwhelmed by the tragedy and the number of those fleeing the war is huge compared to our operational capacity.”

Currently, thanks to the empathy of the population, it has been possible to mobilize many volunteers and thus to cope with "an exodus of 270,000 people".

However, according to the minister, the country is reaching the limits of its own capabilities.

The high number of refugees poses great challenges for the Ministry of the Interior and the border guards.

"All authorities feel the pressure, just as the population feels it."

By no means all people who enter Moldova via the various border crossings with Ukraine stay in the country.

The majority travel on to the neighboring EU country Romania or to other destinations on the same day or after a short stopover.

But according to the minister, the number of refugees who remain in the country already accounts for around three percent of the total population.

While the government remains able to "responsibly manage the influx of refugees, the Interior Ministry also has an obligation to maintain a high level of public order and security so that we have the capacity to fight for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the republic." enter Moldova”.