Hanoi (VNA) – PresidentNguyen Xuan Phuc has urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevantministries and sectors to give the highest priority to protecting Vietnamesecitizens in Ukraine, in the context of the escalating conflict there.

During a meeting on March 6 with their representatives, the leader stressed that the spirit of humanity and responsibility are very urgent now.

The guiding spirit of the Party,State and the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat is to protect Vietnamesepeople in war zones, he stated, stressing that the Party and State always pay greatattention to the work.

The President applauded theGovernment's plan to conduct free flights bringing Vietnamesecitizens with difficult circumstances in Ukraine back home, with priority to women, children and the elderly.

For those who stay, they must be evacuatedfrom war zones to safe places, he said.  

During the meeting, President Phuc also spoke highly of efforts made by OVsabroad to support their countrymen in Ukraine.

Following the direction of the PartyCentral Committee’ Secretariat, the Government established a special workinggroup to deal with issues related to the situation in Ukraine, led by PermanentDeputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh, and the Prime Minister has issued anofficial document on protecting Vietnamese citizens and legal entities.

According to Vietnamese Ambassadorto Ukraine Nguyen Hong Thach, the embassy has coordinated with relevantagencies to support and take all Vietnamese expats who wish to be evacuated outof war zones.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairsreported that many expats in Ukraine have also moved to safe places such as neighboringcountries Poland, Hungary, and Bulgaria.

By March 6, about 400 Vietnamese people that were evacuated from Ukraine toRomania and over 1,000 to Poland wished to return to Vietnam.

Relevant agencies are to organise the first flights to bring OVs in the two countries homeon March 8-9./.