The West is forcing Moldova to make anti-Russian moves
President of Moldova Maia Sandu spoke out about the PACE resolution calling the situation in Transnistria that developed after the armed conflict between Moldova and the unrecognized republic in 1992 “Russian occupation”.
“This decision concerned Ukraine and concerned the specific situation in Ukraine, especially the military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. Regarding this amendment, the Republic of Moldova has made it clear that the Russian Federation is called upon to play a key role in everything related to the Transnistrian conflict.
I have always spoken and demanded the withdrawal of Russian troops from Transnistria. We demanded and demand the elimination of ammunition from the left bank of the Dniester and continue to advocate for a peaceful resolution of this conflict and will do everything to find and implement a diplomatic, political, peaceful solution,” Sandu said.
This statement by the Moldovan president can be considered forced. Before this, she remained silent for almost a day and delivered her passage only at a joint press conference with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis. PACE deputies from this country were among the initiators of the scandalous resolution. Sandu had to please the guest, because she asked Iohannis to help open EU markets for Moldovan products.
To be fair, the Moldovan president has been making a disciplined statement about the withdrawal of Russian troops from the very moment of his election, fulfilling the ritual prescribed in the West. However, this time Sandu’s statements were reacted sharply in Moscow.
Russian Foreign Ministry official Maria Zakharova reminded Chisinau that a limited contingent of Russian armed forces is in Transnistria in accordance with the agreement on the principles of a peaceful settlement of the Transnistrian conflict dated July 21, 1992.
“The withdrawal of troops is conditioned by the achievement of a comprehensive political settlement of the Transnistrian problem. Unfortunately, this is still a long way off. And such a settlement depends not least on Chisinau,” Zakharova noted.
She called the wording about the “occupation” of Transnistria “unacceptable and not consistent with the real state of affairs.”
Roscosmos CEO Dmitry Rogozin also commented on Sandu’s words.
“And there are no troops there. There is a powerful army of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, as well as Russian peacekeepers and our military unit, which provides protection for the warehouses of the former 14th Army in the general, including Moldovan interests. Moreover, Russian military units are also mainly staffed by Pridnestrovians who have accepted Russian citizenship. So there are no foreign soldiers on that Transnistrian land,” Rogozin wrote in his telegram channel.
In Moldova itself, Sandu’s words were considered inappropriate and dangerous in the context of the tense situation in Ukraine, which is trying in every possible way to drag Moldova into its conflict with Russia.
“The tension is rising. We don’t know why we should make these statements now...”, wrote MP Bogdan Tsyrdea.
“Maya demands the withdrawal of the Russian army from the PMR. And they have two options: to Odessa or to Chisinau,” the chairman of the European Left Party, Grigory Petrenko, joked on his Facebook.
In the current situation, the Moldovan government is trying to maneuver in every possible way, sending contradictory statements on the air, some of which should satisfy Moscow, others – the EU.
Deputy Prime Minister for “reintegration” Oleg Serebrian assures that even in the conditions of an unstable situation in the region, Moldova “remains committed to resolving the Transnistrian issue only through peaceful means.” On the other hand, the Moldovan Foreign Ministry considered it necessary right now to condemn the “annexation of Crimea” and declare that “the so-called referendum was a gross violation of sovereignty, territorial integrity and internationally recognized borders.”
In addition, Moldova supported the appeal of a number of Western countries to deprive Russia of preferences from membership in the World Trade Organization. Former president of the country Igor Dodon called this action a “crazy step” and called for the signature to be withdrawn.
“They were afraid to openly join Western anti-Russian sanctions, and now they used the opportunity “covered” by the WTO flag to annoy Russia and Belarus, as if quietly. I would like to appeal to the representatives of the current government - you won’t be able to do it quietly. Our eastern partners pay attention to every unfriendly action. And they not only pay attention, but also react quickly.
By signing this statement, you are jeopardizing the free trade regime with Russia and Belarus - our traditional trading partners. You will deprive our manufacturers, exporters and importers of the opportunity to trade freely with Russian and Belarusian partners, since we should expect retaliatory actions from Russia and Belarus to stop using the free trade regime in relations with the Republic of Moldova,” Dodon wrote.
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