Iran Press/ Iran News: After long speculation about tensions between Russia and Ukraine, on February 24, Russian troops launched military operations on Ukrainian territory and have so far advanced in various parts of the country.
Two months ago, the Russian government submitted its package of security guarantees to the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which included preventing Ukraine from joining NATO and withdrawing its forces from Eastern Europe.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 21 criticized the West for ignoring Moscow's security concerns and said his country recognizes the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk in Donbas.
Donbas is located in eastern Ukraine with a Russian majority. Since 2014 the Russians have established two republics, Donetsk and Luhansk, and formed local governments independent of the Ukrainian government.
Mohammad Hassan Habibollahzadeh, Assistant Secretary-General and Director-General for the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, met with Romanian Ambassador to Tehran Mirla Carmen Greco to discuss ways to help transfer Iranians living in Ukraine.
Iranian official mentioned the safe return of Iranian citizens living in Ukraine as an important concern of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and called on Romania to provide the necessary facilities for those Iranian citizens who intend to return to the country via Romania, given the country's border with Ukraine.
The Romanian ambassador in Tehran announced his country's readiness to cooperate with the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Bucharest to help Iranians intending to leave Ukraine via Romania. 219
