Foreign Ministry: 50 Maldivians in Ukraine, no special instructions yet

Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that currently there are 50 Maldivians residing in Ukraine, but no special instructions have been given at the moment, despite escalating tension between Russia and Ukraine.

Speaking to ‘Sun’, the Director of Communications at Foreign Ministry Miuvan Mohamed said that Maldivians living in Ukraine are residing in two main areas, and assured that they are all doing well.

Miuvan also added that the ministry was in contact with them.

Furthermore, he noted that at the moment there were no special instructions to those residents.

“As per usual, we request locals residing abroad to abide by the instructions given by the country’s government.”

Early 2022, there were warning from United States intelligence officials that Russia may be planning an invasion of Ukraine.

Global Conflict Tracker website stated that in mid-December 2021, the Russian foreign ministry issued a set of demands which included a ban on Ukraine entering the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and a reduction of NATO troops and military equipment in eastern Europe in order for its military forces to be withdrawn.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. 

This conflict risks further deterioration of the relationship with Russia with United States and greater escalation if Russia expands its presence in Ukraine or into NATO countries.

"Russia’s actions have raised wider concerns about its intentions elsewhere in Eastern Europe, and a Russian incursion into a NATO country would solicit a response from the United States as a NATO ally. The conflict has heightened tensions in Russia’s relations with both the United States and Europe, complicating the prospects for cooperation elsewhere including on issues of terrorism, arms control, and a political solution in Syria," noted the Global Conflict Tracker.