Following their request to Moscow for "protection" against the Moldovan authorities, pro-Russian politicians in the breakaway territory of Transnistria in Moldova have the Western world keenly observing Russian President Vladimir Putin's next move.
In response, Russia's Foreign Ministry told RIA Novosti on Wednesday that safeguarding the interests of the people living in Transnistria, referring to them as "compatriots," was one of Russia's top concerns and that it would give the proposal considerable consideration.
Experts surmised that Putin may make a statement regarding Transnistria during his state-of-the-nation speech, which provides an outline of the nation's present state of affairs and Russia's foreign and domestic policy objectives. On Thursday, though, Putin remained silent regarding the area of eastern Moldova that Russia has supported since the fall of the Soviet Union.
At a congress of senior officials on Wednesday, the self-declared pro-Russian authorities of Transnistria, also known as Transdniestria or Pridnestrovie, requested Moscow to take action to safeguard Transnistria's economy and region against an alleged threat from Moldova, which has been attempting to reintegrate the area.
At a congress of senior officials on Wednesday, the self-declared pro-Russian authorities of Transnistria, also known as Transdniestria or Pridnestrovie, requested Moscow to take action to safeguard Transnistria's economy and region against an alleged threat from Moldova, which has been attempting to reintegrate the area.
A resolution from the meeting stated that "Transdniestria is under social and economic pressure, which directly contradicts European principles and approaches to the protection of human rights and free trade," according to Reuters.
According to news outlet Tass, the memo was addressed to the Federal Assembly of Russia and requested that it "implement measures to protect Pridnestrovie [Transnistria] in the context of increasing pressure from Moldova."
According to news outlet Tass, the memo was addressed to the Federal Assembly of Russia and requested that it "implement measures to protect Pridnestrovie [Transnistria] in the context of increasing pressure from Moldova."
In the resolution, authorities stated that the request was made "taking into account the fact that more than 220,000 Russian citizens permanently reside on the territory of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic [the official name of Transnistria] and the unique positive experience of Russian peacekeeping on the Dniester, as well as the status of a guarantor and mediator in the negotiation process."
A government spokesman declared that "at this point, we want say clearly and firmly - there are no dangers of escalation and destabilization of the situation in the Transnistrian region of Moldova." The government of Moldova rejected the remark on Wednesday, calling it "propaganda."
A government spokesman declared that "at this point, we want say clearly and firmly - there are no dangers of escalation and destabilization of the situation in the Transnistrian region of Moldova." The government of Moldova rejected the remark on Wednesday, calling it "propaganda."
We continue to monitor closely and affirm that the Transnistrian area shares Moldova's objective of peace and security. Daniel Voda, the spokesman, stated that this was just another propaganda event.
With U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller declaring on Wednesday that "we are watching Russia's actions in Transnistria and the broader situation there very closely," the White House confirmed it was aware of the move.
With U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller declaring on Wednesday that "we are watching Russia's actions in Transnistria and the broader situation there very closely," the White House confirmed it was aware of the move.
Growing concerns
Although the self-declared Transnistrian authorities have previously made similar requests, Andrius Tursa, a risk consultant at Teneo, stated in an email that the most recent request—which comes in the midst of Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine—is certain to heighten "concerns about Moscow’s broader territorial ambitions in Europe."
"Therefore, persistent rumors regarding Russia's purported intentions to annex the area may be an element of Moscow's endeavors to intensify political strains in Moldova prior to the crucial autumn 2024 presidential election, which may coincide with a referendum on EU membership," the author said.
Transnistria's sovereignty is not recognized by any member of the United Nations (including Russia), and all members view the region as a part of Moldova, which has stated its intention to reunite the area. According to Russia's defense ministry, the country nevertheless maintains a little military presence in Transnistria as part of a "peacekeeping operation." The ministry states that although there are reportedly 1,500 Russian forces in the area, there is currently just one battalion, or roughly 1,000 soldiers, there.
Although the self-declared Transnistrian authorities have previously made similar requests, Andrius Tursa, a risk consultant at Teneo, stated in an email that the most recent request—which comes in the midst of Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine—is certain to heighten "concerns about Moscow’s broader territorial ambitions in Europe."
"Therefore, persistent rumors regarding Russia's purported intentions to annex the area may be an element of Moscow's endeavors to intensify political strains in Moldova prior to the crucial autumn 2024 presidential election, which may coincide with a referendum on EU membership," the author said.
Transnistria's sovereignty is not recognized by any member of the United Nations (including Russia), and all members view the region as a part of Moldova, which has stated its intention to reunite the area. According to Russia's defense ministry, the country nevertheless maintains a little military presence in Transnistria as part of a "peacekeeping operation." The ministry states that although there are reportedly 1,500 Russian forces in the area, there is currently just one battalion, or roughly 1,000 soldiers, there.
Given its landlocked situation, Tursa pointed out that it would be "extremely difficult" for Russia to increase those numbers, but the most recent demand for assistance offers it a plausible justification to do so.
Russia would probably defend the action by claiming it is taking precautions to safeguard its own nationals. The same strategy has been applied in Georgia's breakaway territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which are backed by Russia, and in eastern Ukraine with assistance for pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk. In either of those occasions, conflict was involved or resulted.
Russia would probably defend the action by claiming it is taking precautions to safeguard its own nationals. The same strategy has been applied in Georgia's breakaway territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which are backed by Russia, and in eastern Ukraine with assistance for pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk. In either of those occasions, conflict was involved or resulted.
The fact that there are Russian troops and civilians in Transnistria makes it a target for Putin's maneuvers, according to research fellow Ivana Stradner of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a think tank located in Washington, who made this statement in an email.
"Putin knows that he can use his proxies to escalate the Transnistria crisis and demonstrate that the West will not defend Moldova while the West is preoccupied with issues in the Middle East, Ukraine, and the upcoming elections in the EU and the US."
"Putin knows that he can use his proxies to escalate the Transnistria crisis and demonstrate that the West will not defend Moldova while the West is preoccupied with issues in the Middle East, Ukraine, and the upcoming elections in the EU and the US."
In response to the remarks, CNBC has gotten in touch with the Kremlin and is seeking a response.
According to experts at the Institute for the Study of War, the action may also be a prelude to a vote on joining the Russian Federation or the entry and annexation of Transnistria by Russian forces. There are rumors that Russia intends to use Transnistria as its "land bridge" to connect its occupied territory to a large portion of southern Ukraine.
Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Odesa are still in Ukrainian control, hence Russian forces have not yet taken control of the entire southern region of Ukraine.
According to experts at the Institute for the Study of War, the action may also be a prelude to a vote on joining the Russian Federation or the entry and annexation of Transnistria by Russian forces. There are rumors that Russia intends to use Transnistria as its "land bridge" to connect its occupied territory to a large portion of southern Ukraine.
Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Odesa are still in Ukrainian control, hence Russian forces have not yet taken control of the entire southern region of Ukraine.
According to experts at the Institute for the Study of War, the action may also be a prelude to a vote on joining the Russian Federation or the entry and annexation of Transnistria by Russian forces. There are rumors that Russia intends to use Transnistria as its "land bridge" to connect its occupied territory to a large portion of southern Ukraine.
Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Odesa are still in Ukrainian control, hence Russian forces have not yet taken control of the entire southern region of Ukraine.
Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Odesa are still in Ukrainian control, hence Russian forces have not yet taken control of the entire southern region of Ukraine.
