Simmering tensions are making a comeback in this pro-Russian separatist region of Moldova.
The Transnistrian authorities on Wednesday asked Russia for “protective measures” in the face of alleged “pressure” from Chisinau, against a backdrop of tensions exacerbated by the conflict in neighboring Ukraine.
The deputies of this territory met in Tiraspol in an extraordinary congress, the first since 2006, and adopted a declaration.
In this text, cited by Russian press agencies, the Russian Parliament is called upon to “implement measures to protect Transnistria”, where “more than 220,000 Russian citizens” live, in the face of “increased pressure from the leaves Moldova.
Transnistria is facing “unprecedented threats of an economic, socio-humanitarian and military-political nature”, it is added in this declaration, without details on the desired aid.
This request is reminiscent of a similar request from pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine, in February 2022, which was one of the pretexts put forward by Vladimir Putin to launch a large-scale attack against Ukraine.
Accusations of “genocide”
At the same time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the leaders of South-Eastern European countries, gathered in Albania for a summit, to provide increased support to his country, lacking ammunition, in the face of Russia which is nibbling ground on the front.
A narrow strip of land between Moldova and Ukraine, Transnistria seceded after a short war in 1992 against the Moldovan army.
Russia still maintains 1,500 soldiers there, intended in particular to carry out a peacekeeping mission, according to official figures.
But since the Russian assault of February 2022 against kyiv, conjectures have regularly resurfaced about a possible Russian attack from Transnistria towards the large Ukrainian port city of Odessa, on the Black Sea.
Separatist authorities said Wednesday's congress, attended by 620 MPs, was a reaction to Chisinau's recent introduction of customs duties on imports from Transnistria.
In his speech, local president Vadim Krasnosselski, quoted by the media, assured that this territory was undergoing “a policy of genocide”, via economic, “physical”, legal and linguistic pressures.
Protection of Transnistria is a “priority” for Moscow
In this resolution, MEPs also address the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the European Parliament, the Red Cross and finally the UN General Secretariat, urging them to prevent “ provocations” which could lead to “an escalation of tensions”.
The Moldovan government said earlier Wednesday that "things seemed calm," asserting that "there is no risk of escalation" despite this "new campaign aimed at creating hysteria within society."
In a second statement this Wednesday afternoon, Chisinau declared that it rejected the “propaganda” coming from Transnistria.
Read alsoWelcome to Transnistria, the self-proclaimed country that still lives in Soviet times
Russia, for its part, assured that its “priority” was the “protection” of its “compatriots” in Transnistria.
“All requests are always carefully considered by the relevant Russian bodies,” the Russian Foreign Ministry was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Wednesday that tensions in the separatist region were “dangerous” for the region and Ukraine.
“The threat of Russian intervention, or at least provocation, is permanent.
This doesn't surprise me.
But this shows how dangerous the situation is, and not only for Ukraine,” he said.
This is the first time that such a congress has taken place since 2006, when separatist deputies decided to organize a referendum on the integration of Transnistria into Russia.
During this election, the result of which was not internationally recognized, the local population voted 97.1% for its attachment to this country.
Also read: “I don’t even know which side I would choose”: fear of war resurfaces on the border between Moldova and Transnistria
Since the start of the Russian assault in Ukraine two years ago, fears of a widening of the conflict to Transnistria have surfaced several times.
Last year, the authorities of this self-proclaimed state notably accused kyiv of wanting to attack it after claiming to have foiled an attack in March that targeted its leaders.
The Russian Defense Ministry again assured last week, without presenting evidence, that Ukraine was preparing an “armed provocation” against Transnistria.
Officially counting 465,000 mainly Russian-speaking inhabitants, this small territory which runs along 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, formerly in its zone of influence but whose authorities are now resolutely oriented towards Europe.
In December 2023, the EU decided to open accession negotiations with both Ukraine and Moldova.