Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revealed a Maldivian family living near Kyiv, Ukraine, has crossed the border and entered Hungary.
The foreign ministry said the couple and their two children, who lived near the Ukrainian capital have now crossed the border and entered Hungary. The foreign ministry also said it was working with other countries to evacuate the Maldivian students stranded in Kharkiv.
Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid revealed he had spoken with the Maldivian students in Kharkiv on February 28, and assured them that the government is using every avenue available to arrange their safe return home. He noted the Embassy of the Maldives in Berlin, Germany is constantly in touch with the students and working with authorities to facilitate their safe return.
About 50 Maldivian students had been studying in Ukraine when conflict broke out in the country on February 24.
The foreign ministry revealed efforts are ongoing to assist the Maldivian students who are stranded in conflict zones near the Russia-Ukraine borders. The foreign ministry announced the government will be extending financial assistance to the Maldivian students that remain in Ukraine, as well as Maldivian students in Belarus who wish to return home. There are currently nine Maldivians in Ukraine, eight in Kharkiv, and one in Dnipro, according to the foreign ministry.