The Republic of Moldova is increasingly shaking under Russian influence. After an explosive referendum that was only pro-European, some peace has actually returned. But that could be deceptive; as there is now growing concern about possible troop movements on the Danube.
The small Danube port of Giurgiulești, on the border of Moldova, Romania and Ukraine, is currently causing headaches. Mysterious ships are said to have arrived from Russia, as “ntv” reported.
Although the exact cargo of the ships is not yet known, Olya Korbut of the Center for European Policy Analysis now warns about the Kremlin’s ‘obsession’ with ‘covert operations’. Moscow is currently said to be on the verge of gaining even more influence in the country.
Memories of the Kremlin’s action in Ukraine
In recent months, five ships have sailed from Russian ports across the Danube to the port of Giurgiulești, as Russian journalist Andrij Klymenko, who lives in Ukraine, explained. He fears that Moscow wants to create a kind of ‘anti-Maidan’ in Moldova that pursues an anti-European agenda.
In this context, he recalled that, following the pro-European Maidan protests in Ukraine on the eve of the occupation of Crimea in February 2014, Russia allowed special forces from the mainland to arrive in Sevastopol in an old bulk carrier.
Supplying troops in Transnistria?
There is also the possibility that an attempt will be made to use the ships to supply the difficult-to-reach Russian troops in Transnistria. Ultimately, there will be a direct rail link from Giurgiuleşti to the region, Korbut continued.
Russia would struggle to replace its 1,500-strong officer corps in the region and modernize its equipment. Officers have been denied passage through Moldova since 2015 and an alternative land route was closed in 2022 due to angry protests from Moscow, the analyst said.
The law of the sea makes Giurgiulești a safe haven
But why the route over the Danube? Korbut explains that the route is protected by international maritime law. A search for cargo ships via neighboring Romania or Ukraine is therefore not possible. The port of Giurgiuleşti is a free port and belongs to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. It is Moldova’s only access to the sea.
Countries would need special regulations
The Black Sea Institute for Strategic Studies has a solution for this. Special regulations should be issued to allow searches of Russian ships calling at ports in the Romanian and Ukrainian parts of the Danube.
“The high level of professionalism of the naval forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the successful cooperation with Romania and Bulgaria in the grain corridor have shown what is possible,” Korbut said of the proposal.
Source: Krone
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