Moldova has long feared Russian aggression in the separatist region of Transnistria. Now those in power there are turning directly to Moscow and apparently asking for “protection.” The Kremlin calls this a “priority.”
The pro-Russian separatists in the breakaway Moldovan republic have asked Russia for “protection,” according to media reports. A congress of the internationally unrecognized separatist region that borders Ukraine voted for a corresponding resolution, from which Moldovan and Russian media quoted.
Transnistria therefore wants to turn to the Russian Federation Council and the State Duma “with a request to implement measures to protect Transnistria in view of the increasing pressure from Moldova.”
In the resolution, the separatists accuse Moldova of, among other things, an economic blockade of the region and a “destruction of the foundations of independence and statehood.” It was the first special congress of pro-Russian separatists since 2006.
The declaration that has now been adopted speaks of “more than 220,000 Russian citizens” who lived in Transnistria. It remained unclear what specific measures the separatists expected from Moscow.
According to the resolution, in addition to Russia, the separatists are also addressing the OSCE, the European Parliament, the Red Cross and the United Nations with a request to prevent “provocations” that could lead to an “escalation of tensions.”
Concern in Moldova
The government of Moldova described the separatists’ statements about alleged “pressure” from Chisinau as “propaganda.” The region benefits from “the policy of peace, security and economic integration with the European Union,” which benefits “all citizens,” wrote Deputy Prime Minister Oleg Serebian on Telegram.
In the EU candidate country, which lies between Ukraine and Romania, the news about the separatists’ “call for protection” is likely to fuel fear of Russian aggression on their territory – especially because Russia has already stationed its own soldiers in Transnistria for decades. The region has seceded from Moldova since the 1990s.
After the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine began in February 2022, Moldovan politicians have repeatedly expressed great concern. Observers also accused Russia of deliberately destabilizing the situation in the region with provocations.
Transnistrian President Vadim Krasnoselski spoke of a “policy of genocide” in his speech at the congress, according to local media. This is exerted through economic, “physical”, legal and linguistic pressure.
Moscow: “One of the priorities”
In response to the resolution, Moscow described the “protection” of residents in Transnistria as a “priority.” Russian news agencies quoted the Russian Foreign Ministry as saying “protecting the interests of Transnistrian residents, our compatriots, is one of the priorities.”
Foreign Office spokeswoman Maria Sakharova had previously called fears about Russia’s possible annexation plans “speculation”. “In Chisinau there has been speculation for days about possible decisions of the forum. Apparently this panic has also reached NATO,” she said when asked.
According to her statement, NATO is trying to “literally create a second Ukraine out of the region, regardless of the majority opinion in Moldova. No thought whatsoever is given to the possible consequences of this for the country and the region.”
German politicians warn of escalation
The SPD foreign politician Michael Roth was concerned about the developments and warned against an expansion of the Russian war of aggression. “The dramatic developments in Moldova show that Russian imperialism is not limited to Ukraine alone,” he told the Rheinische Post.
While Europe is once again arguing and divided, Russia is continuing to escalate. Putin wants more and is now also targeting Moldova,” said the chairman of the Bundestag’s Foreign Affairs Committee.
Roth sees parallels in the developments to those in eastern Ukraine before Russia’s attack in early 2022. “Russia has created frozen conflicts everywhere in its neighborhood that can now be thawed at will to further the destabilization of Eastern Europe,” said Roth. “The call for help from the pro-Russian separatists in Transnistria to Moscow is a set-up game.” The goal is clear: “Putin wants to prevent Moldova from moving closer to the EU.”
The chairwoman of the Bundestag’s Defense Committee, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, also called for determination and further aid for Ukraine. “There’s a method to everything and it’s not really surprising. Putin is now provoking in every geographical nook and cranny,” she told the “Rheinische Post”. It is all the more important that “really everything” is done “so that Ukraine wins the war,” said the FDP politician.
Björn Blaschke, WDR, currently Chisinau, tagesschau, February 28, 2024 3:42 p.m