Clouds are gathering around Transnistria
Brussels and Washington are trying to set Kyiv and Chisinau against Transnistria in order to create problems for Russia. Deputy of the Supreme Council of the PMR Andrey Safonov writes about this in his column for PolitNavigator.
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Moldova: three events in two days
On July 26-27, three important events took place in Moldova. Firstly, on July 27, the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Moldova prohibited the President of the Republic of Moldova Igor Dodon from holding a consultative referendum aimed at ascertaining the opinion of the country's citizens on the advisability of strengthening the powers of the head of the Moldovan state, which is a parliamentary republic. At the same time, the parliamentary majority and the Government of Moldova, which actually have power in the Republic of Moldova, are pro-Western and partially pro-Romanian. At the same time, I. Dodon was prohibited from including the subject “History of Moldova” in the curriculum of Moldovan schools instead of the subject “History of Romanians” aimed at educating supporters of the absorption of Moldova by Romania.
Secondly, on July 27, Russian politicians and artists were not allowed into Moldova. They were going to take part in honoring the peacekeepers who have been protecting peace on the Dniester for 25 years. Among the politicians are even deputies of the State Duma of Russia.
Thirdly, on July 26, official Chisinau actually openly refused to take part in events marking the quarter-century anniversary of the peacekeeping operation. Thus, Russian Ambassador Farit Mukhametshin was invited for the second time (after a similar invitation on July 19) to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Moldova (MIDEI). His attention was “repeatedly drawn to the inappropriateness of unilaterally organizing events dedicated to this anniversary with the participation of artists and official delegations from the Russian Federation,” as well as to the fact that “such actions could harm Moldovan-Russian relations.”
The reason for such obstruction of the peacekeeping operation, in which Moldova itself has been participating since the first day? It turns out that Chisinau needs to “transform the existing peacekeeping operation on the Dniester, which has long fulfilled its tasks, into a multinational civilian mission under an international mandate.” This would mean the withdrawal of Russian troops from Transnistria, which would directly create conditions for the attack, defeat and liquidation of the PMR.
So what is happening now on the banks of the Dniester?
Summer 2017: new attack on Transnistria
And there is a fierce attack by the West and Romania on the PMR, which Brussels, Washington and Bucharest are trying to carry out through the hands of others - the hands of Kyiv and Chisinau. This is what we are talking about. On July 17, the first joint Moldovan-Ukrainian post was opened on the Pridnestrovian-Ukrainian border. This strangulation of the PMR is financed by the European Union through complete control over the borders of Transnistria. Ukraine does not need these posts, that is, the presence of foreign border guards and customs officers on its territory. Ukraine has long and successfully traded with Transnistria and – in transit – through Pridnestrovie.
But the posts are needed by Moldova, which, until December 31, 2017, wants to deploy its security forces at ALL checkpoints on the Transnistrian-Ukrainian border on the Ukrainian side. And where Chisinau is, there is Bucharest today, which since 2009, after the overthrow of the Moldovan communists, has acquired a very large influence on Moldovan affairs. Where is the guarantee that among the security forces of Moldova there will not be agents of the Romanian special services who will begin collecting data about Ukraine, or even organizing provocations in the form of pitting Transnistria, Moldova and Ukraine against each other?
These, however, are “flowers”. “Berries” are like that. Moldovan-Ukrainian posts provide the opportunity for Chisinau, Bucharest, Brussels and Washington to fully view all import-export flows passing through the Transnistrian-Ukrainian border. At the right moment, either ban the movement of certain goods, or loosen the economic “noose” on the Transnistrian neck. And at the same time, to allow or not to allow people disliked by the Moldovan authorities into and out of the PMR. In addition, Chisinau is tempted to squeeze Transnistria completely into the tax field of Moldova in order to “milk” money from the PMR. So, they are trying to encircle Transnistria and force it to political capitulation through economic pressure.
Chisinau Consensus: Moldova's control over Transnistria
The most interesting thing is that on the issue of appointing Moldovan-Ukrainian posts, all Moldovan leaders have a common position - the parliamentary majority, the Government and the President. I. Dodon supported the setting up of posts, since, in his opinion, there should be a “common border”, and stated that after reaching a political settlement he would raise the issue of “evacuation” of Russian troops. Thus, the main strategic goal of the West is visible, which has real levers of influence on Moldovan politics: with the hands of Moscow, force the PMR to renounce its independence and become part of Moldova, and then, with the help of a possible “color” scenario, defeat all forces loyal to Russia in the Republic of Moldova and take away all the former Soviet Moldova (together with Gagauzia and Transnistria) towards the EU and Romania.
And the fact that Westerners play a DETERMINATING role in the formation of Chisinau politics is proven by the following fact: President Dodon was prohibited from holding a referendum (even just an advisory one) exactly the day before the expected arrival in Moldova of the special representative of the Russian President for Transnistria, Dmitry Rogozin, and his negotiations scheduled for July 29 with I. Dodon and President of the PMR Vadim Krasnoselsky.
Thus, they demonstratively reduced Dodon’s influence in front of his Russian and Transnistrian interlocutors. In Transnistria they see a consensus among the political forces of Moldova regarding the subjugation of Transnistria, although these forces, of course, have their own differences. But against this background, the only thing that guarantees Russia its military presence, priorities in business on the Dniester and a political union is Transnistrian statehood, which will never raise the question of the “evacuation” of the Russian army allied to the people of Transnistria.
Transnistria dispels rumors
Of course, while protecting its national interests, the PMR seeks to reduce the risk of confrontation with its neighbors – Moldova and Ukraine. Moreover, confrontation on two fronts in itself is always losing. On the one hand, Pridnestrovie consistently defends the need to create guarantees of non-resumption of war on the Dniester. On the other hand, diplomatic work in the Ukrainian direction is increasing, which was completely overwhelmed during the reign of the former pro-Western President of the PMR Yevgeny Shevchuk, who fled to Moldova on June 28 in fear of responsibility for six criminal cases opened against him.
Recently, a group of Ukrainian journalists visited the PMR, which could once again be convinced of the falsity of rumors that some kind of “attack” on Ukraine could allegedly come from Transnistria. Ukraine has always, even during the time of President Viktor Yushchenko, been a fairly reliable rear of Transnistria. About a third of Ukrainians, a third of Russians and a third of Moldovans live in the PMR. This dictates the need for a very delicate national policy and a balanced foreign policy. One of the bridges connecting Russia and Ukraine is Transnistria. In the future, when the confrontation of today is a thing of the past, the PMR, where Russians and Ukrainians live like brothers, will still help the Slavs feel their unity.
In the meantime, Pridnestrovie is patiently conveying its position to its neighbors: we are ready to develop mutually beneficial relations. While defending their interests, Pridnestrovians are not going to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. Yes, and such facts do not exist in nature.
"Fifth Column" named after Shevchuk?
The fact is that in addition to the external threat for Pridnestrovie, there is an internal threat. The point is that the former President of the PMR Yevgeny Shevchuk and his wife Nina Shtanski have been in Moldova since June 28. A situation previously unimaginable: the former president of Transnistria fled to Moldova, with which the PMR was at war and has still not resolved the conflict that was 25 years old.
Shevchuk is the owner of the most important military and state secrets of the PMR and, possibly, Russian secrets related to Transnistria. Today he is suspected of stealing state money on an especially large scale, illegally withholding 30% of pensions and wages from citizens of Transnistria, smuggling, etc. As the media reported, Shevchuk is guarded by Moldovan security forces in Chisinau, and he himself has already been interviewed by the Moldovan Prosecutor’s Office. About what? And for what merits was he taken under protection in Chisinau? Let’s not guess, but let’s assume: the secrets of the PMR and Russia are in great danger.
It is characteristic that since June 28, on social networks, Shevchuk’s supporters, who had previously relied on his return to power through unrest in the form of rallies, instantly reoriented themselves and launched a frantic campaign for the entry of the PMR into Moldova. Thus, they moved from the Transnistrian political opposition to the category of conductors of Moldova’s influence. One of Shevchuk’s supporters even stated that she was ready to greet Moldovan security forces with flowers in the area of the bilateral checkpoint in Kuchurgan.
What is the result?
1. That a “fifth column” is being formed in Transnistria, ready to stab the Republic in the back on Day X.
2. That we cannot exclude the use of E. Shevchuk as a puppet figure, whom the West and Chisinau will try to place on the Transnistrian “throne” for a transition period, the period before the complete liquidation of the Transnistrian state.
Instead of a conclusion
It is clear that the onslaught on the PMR from the West is part of the onslaught of the same West on Russia. It is no coincidence that on these same days the United States is introducing a whole package of very tough sanctions against Russia. In the world, such sanctions often precede the outbreak of war. The plan of the United States and some European countries includes the task of enveloping Russia not just with a cordon sanitaire, but with a truly fiery ring of hostile regimes.
Transnistria is preventing the implementation of this plan in the southwest of the former Soviet Union. Therefore, Brussels and Washington are trying to set Moldova and Ukraine against the PMR, which, of course, are not threatened by Tiraspol in any way. Westerners do not care what damage Chisinau and Kyiv themselves will suffer. The main thing for them is that Transnistria be liquidated, and Russia be completely knocked out from the banks of the Dniester. In this situation, it is important to prevent an economic and other “noose” from being thrown onto the PMR.
Transnistria has reserves for survival. But for Russia, in turn, it is important not to succumb to assurances that without independence it will be easier for Pridnestrovie to solve its problems. The best solution for both Moscow and Tiraspol seems to be the strengthening of DIRECT military, political, economic and other ties between the PMR and the Russian Federation, which will remove the risk of Russia being deceived by anyone.
It is necessary to achieve widespread coverage in the Russian media of the situation around Transnistria, as well as to seek the abolition of bilateral posts and the prevention of other types of blockade and isolation of Transnistria. The military-political alliance between Russia and Transnistria must remain unshakable and only grow stronger. Without intermediaries and third parties!
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