As of: February 23, 2024, 12:54 p.m
By: Patrick Mayer
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Press
Split
An opposition politician warns of the next conflict with Russia in Eastern Europe.
The scenario would have a massive impact on the Ukraine war.
Chisinau – Is this region the next imperialist target of Kremlin autocrat Vladimir Putin?
The so-called “Transnistrian Congress” will reportedly soon publicly ask Moscow to admit Transnistria into the Russian Federation.
Transnistria: Moldova's breakaway region asks Russia to join?
At least that's what Transnistrian opposition figure Ghenadie Ciorba claims, according to the
Infotag
news agency , which
ntv.de
reports.
Accordingly, the MPs should decide on a corresponding motion at the congress on February 28th.
Explosive: On February 29, Putin will give a speech to the Russian Federal Assembly.
According to Ciorba, Putin could use this speech as an opportunity to make the request public.
It can be assumed that the Federal Assembly will approve the application, he said.
Ciorba referred to recent statements by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that Moscow would protect Russian citizens in Transnistria.
An armored military vehicle of the Russian army in Transnistria.
(Archive photo) © IMAGO / ITAR-TASS
Because of Transnistria: Tensions between Moldova and Russia
Transnistria is an internationally unrecognized separatist region in eastern Moldova, supported exclusively by the Kremlin, which borders Ukraine with around 350,000 inhabitants.
The Republic of Moldova, which borders the NATO state Romania to the west, considers Transnistria to be insurgent and part of its own territory.
The conflict arose again in the context of the war in Ukraine.
At the end of April 2022, two months after the start of the Russian attack on its western neighbor, explosions occurred in Moldova's Transnistria on the border with Ukraine.
Chisinau suspected the Kremlin was behind the provocation and convened its Security Council at the time.
An estimated 30 percent of the population in Transnistria is said to be of Russian origin.
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Vladimir Putin's Foreign Minister: Sergei Lavrov threatens Moldova
Moldova's President Maia Sandu also criticized Putin's Moscow regime at a public meeting in August 2022 for statements "that are not always appropriate and sometimes disrespectful to the sovereignty of the Republic of Moldova."
Shortly afterwards, Lavrov warned Moldova that “a threatening situation” to the security of Russian troops in Transnistria could trigger a military confrontation.
Troops that could in turn tie up Ukrainian forces on the border.
“Any threat to the security of Russian troops would be considered an attack on Russia under international law,” Lavrov said in an interview with a Russian TV channel at the time.
Background: Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia has stationed its 14th Guards Army in northern Transnistria.
According to estimates, this only has a manpower in the low four-digit range, but according to equipment it is said to be superior to the Moldovan armed forces.
Moldova is in danger the moment Russia moves towards Transnistria.
Historian Yuri Felshtinsky in the British “Express”
On the border with Romania: Historian fears Russian attack on Moldova
According to the much-quoted
Global Firepower Index (GPI),
they only have 8,500 active professional soldiers (as of February 23rd), no battle tanks and no combat aircraft.
The defense relies on infantry (foot soldiers) driving trucks or American military jeeps Humvees.
However, Transnistria had set up its own troops years ago, which, according to estimates by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2009, comprised around 4,000 men and 18 battle tanks.
There are no more recent estimates from the West.
The historian Yuri Felshtinsky openly warned of a war by Russia against the Republic of Moldova in 2022.
“Even before they finish with Ukraine, they will start a war there as soon as they reach Transnistria,” the American author of Russian origin told the British
Express
at the time : “Moldova is in danger the moment Russia heads towards Transnistria. “The country has been on Putin’s list for a long time.
(pm)