The authorities of the self-proclaimed Republic of Transnistria, a pro-Russian separatist force on the territory of Moldova, have said they intend to ask Moscow for “help” against “pressure” from Chisinau. This was reported by the Russian agency Tass.
According to Russia's official Tass news agency, a resolution passed by the self-proclaimed Congress of the separatist Republic of Transnistria on Moldovan territory calls for “addressing the Council of the Russian Federation and the State Duma with a request to take action.” To protect Transnistria in the face of so-called “increasing pressure from Moldova”. In the text, the separatists claim that “more than 220,000 Russian citizens live in the territory of the unrecognized breakaway republic, that Russian peacekeeping in the Dniester region has been successful, and that Russia acted as a mediator in the talks between Chisinau and Tiraspol” . According to France-Presse, the breakaway region's self-proclaimed Supreme Council had previously said it would discuss the “political and socio-economic situation” in the region while dealing with what it called “pressure” from Moldova.
Transnistria is asking Russia for “diplomatic support” to resolve disputes with the Moldovan government. This is what the Foreign Minister of the pro-Russian separatist unit Vitaly Ignatiev said about the appeal for help submitted in Moscow by the Tiraspol Congress of Deputies against what he described as “growing pressure from Moldova.” “First of all – emphasized Ignatiev – we are talking about a request for diplomatic support. Let us assume that Russia is a responsible guarantor of the resolution of the conflict in Transnistria.” The representative of Tiraspol recalled that Russia is part of the “Five plus two” negotiating group, which also includes Moldova, the OSCE, Ukraine and Transnistria itself as well as observers from the EU and the USA were represented.
Russia is taking into account Transnistria's request for help, as “protecting the interests” of citizens of the separatist entity in Moldova is “among Moscow's priorities.” This was announced by the Foreign Ministry, citing Russian authorities. “Protecting the interests of the residents of Transnistria, our compatriots, is one of the priorities,” the Foreign Ministry said, referring to the breakaway state’s ethnic Russian population. “All requests are always carefully examined by the relevant Russian departments,” he added.
The United States is backing Moldova's sovereignty after authorities of the self-proclaimed Republic of Transnistria, a pro-Russian separatist force, said they wanted to ask Moscow for “help” against “pressure” from Chisinau. This was said by Matthew Miller, spokesman for the State Department.
The Moldovan government rejects the Transnistrian congress that asked Moscow for help today as a “pure propaganda event” and is convinced that its decisions do not pose a risk of escalation. This was stated by the representative of the Moldovan government, Daniel Voda, as reported by Ukrainska Pravda. “This event was planned by those on the left bank of the Dniester and the Kremlin. We see no risk of destabilization. We are watching very closely and repeating that this region also wants peace and security,” Voda said.
The tensions in Transnistria are “dangerous” for the region. This was said by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk after pro-Russian separatists asked Moscow for help to defend themselves against “pressure” from Moldova. “The danger of Russian intervention or at least a provocation is permanent. That does not surprise me. But it shows how dangerous the situation is, and not just for Ukraine,” the Polish leader said in response to a question about the request from Transnistrian separatists to receive “protection” from Moscow.
For more information Photo agency ANSA Transnistria, a strip of land left to the Soviets – News – Ansa.it Half a million inhabitants closely linked to Russia (ANSA)
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