After pro-Russian separatists in the breakaway region of Transnistria asked the Russian regime to ‘protect’ them from Moldova, there has now been a response from the Kremlin. Moscow announces that the safety of residents there has the highest priority. The concerns are great. According to Russian military doctrine, the army may also operate outside its own territory if it is intended to protect Russian citizens. And Russians live there in abundance.
Russian news agencies on Wednesday quoted the Foreign Ministry in Moscow as saying that “protecting the interests of the residents of Transnistria, our compatriots, is one of the priorities.” Meanwhile, Moldova speaks of ‘propaganda’.
The region benefits from “the policy of peace, security and economic integration with the European Union,” which “benefits all citizens,” Deputy Prime Minister Oleg Serebian wrote on the online service Telegram on Wednesday. In a resolution adopted at a special congress in Tiraspol, the separatists asked Moscow to “take measures to defend Transnistria in the face of increasing pressure from Moldova.” Moldova has launched an ‘economic war’ against Transnistria, blocking vital imports to turn the region into a ‘ghetto’.
Russia has stationed soldiers in Transnistria for decades
There is “social and economic pressure on Transnistria that directly contradicts European principles and approaches to the protection of human rights and free trade,” said the statement, initiated by the president of the internationally unrecognized “republic”, Vadim Krasnosselski. According to the resolution, more than 220,000 Russian citizens live in Transnistria. Russian soldiers are also stationed there. For EU accession candidate Moldova, which lies between Ukraine and Romania, this news is likely to fuel fears of Russian aggression on its territory – especially since Russia has stationed its own soldiers in Transnistria for decades.
The region has seceded from Moldova since the 1990s. After the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine in February 2022, Moldovan politicians have repeatedly expressed their deep concerns. Observers also accused Russia of deliberately destabilizing the situation in the region with provocations.
In their appeal to Moscow, those in power in Transnistria now also referred to Russian citizens living in the separatist region. This will also worry many people. According to Russian military doctrine, the army may also operate outside its own territory if it is intended to protect Russian citizens. At present, the Kremlin has not recognized Transnistria as its own state.
Moldova reacts calmly
Pro-European Moldovan government spokesman Daniel Voda stressed that authorities in Chisinau had “calmly taken note” of the “demands and decisions of the so-called special congress” of the breakaway region. Both the separatist leaders in Tiraspol and the Kremlin are clearly relying on “scaremongering” and “media hysteria,” with these smokescreens only serving to provide the Tiraspol Congress with some headlines, the government spokesman said.
In fact, the separatists’ demands were ultimately much milder than feared. There had been speculation in the Moldovan media for days that the Transnistrian pseudo-parliamentarians could demand annexation to Russia during their meeting today.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
