(VOVworld) – The Ukrainian government on Monday decided to impose a state of emergency across the country due to escalating tensions in eastern provinces of Lugansk and Donetsk. Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said after a cabinet meeting that the declaration of high alert nationwide and in the two regions is based on the Code of Civil Defense of Ukraine to ensure security of citizens and social protection of the population. Ukraine also decided to establish regional coordination centers for emergency situations. Those measures responded to the worsening situation in eastern region where a war is likely to break out despite a ceasefire adopted by both sides in Minsk last September.

Ukrainian servicemen stand guard on a street in Mariupol. (Photo: Reuters)

On Monday, Vietnamese people living in the key port city of Mariupol were ordered to evacuate and keep close contact with the Vietnamese Embassy in Ukraine.