Transnistrian pro-Russian separatists seek 'protection' from Russia, citing pressure from Chisinau

Its principles Transnistriaa pro-Russian separatist region of Moldova, today asked Russia for “protective measures” in the face of alleged “pressure” from Chisinaua development that comes in a context of tensions that have been exacerbated by war in neighboring Ukraine.

The parliaments of this territory met in the city of Tiraspol in an extraordinary congress, the first held since 2006, and approved a resolution, the Athens News Agency reports.

According to the resolution, which was reported by Russian news agencies, the Russian parliament is asked to “implement measures to protect Transnistria”, home to “more than 220,000 Russian citizens”, in the face of “increasing pressure from Moldova”.

Transnistria faces “unprecedented threats of an economic, social-humanitarian and military-political nature,” added the resolution, which did not give details of the desired assistance.

This request is reminiscent of a similar request by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine in February 2022, which was one of the pretexts proposed by Vladimir Putin to launch the large-scale offensive against Ukraine.

Meanwhile today, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the leaders of Southeast European countries, gathered in Albania for a summit, to provide increased support to his munitions-starved country against invading Russian forces.

Charges of “genocide”

Transnistria, a narrow strip of land between Moldova and Ukraine, seceded after a brief war in 1992 against the Moldovan army. Russia still maintains 1,500 troops there, which are a peacekeeping mission, according to official authorities.

However, following the February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, speculation about a possible Russian attack from Transnistria towards the major Black Sea port of Odesa in Ukraine has frequently resurfaced.

Separatist authorities said today's conference, attended by 620 MPs, was a reaction to Chisinau's recent imposition of customs duties on imports from Transnistria.

In his speech, the speaker of the local parliament Vadim Krasnoselsky, according to mme, said that this region is undergoing a “policy of genocide”, through economic, “physical”, legal and linguistic pressures.

In this resolution, MEPs also address the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the European Parliament, the Red Cross and the UN General Secretariat, urging them to prevent “provocations” that could lead to “escalation of tension”.

The Moldovan government, for its part, said earlier today that “things seemed calm”, confirming that there was “no risk of escalation” despite the “new campaign aimed at creating hysteria in society”.

First since 2006

It is the first time such a conference has been held since 2006, when the separatist region's deputies decided to hold a referendum on Transnistria's integration into Russia.

During those elections, the result of which was not recognized by the international community, the local population voted 97.1% in favor of integration with Russia.

Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine two years ago, fears of an expansion of the conflict in Transnistria have been raised several times.

Last year, Transnistrian authorities accused Kiev of wanting to attack the region, claiming they had foiled an attack in March targeting the separatist region's leaders.

The Russian Defense Ministry again asserted last week, without providing evidence, that Ukraine was preparing an “armed provocation” against Transnistria.

With an official population of 465,000 mostly Russian-speaking residents, this small region straddling the Dniester is not recognized as a state by the international community, including Moscow.

Chisinau and the European Union regularly criticize Russia for seeking to destabilize Moldova, which was once in its sphere of influence, but now Moldovan authorities are turning to Europe.

In December 2023, the EU decided to start accession negotiations with both Ukraine and Moldova.