More than three decades ago a small region of Moldova declared itself independent.
Although it has not achieved recognition from any member of the international community, its authorities have strong ties with Russia and in 2006 they asked, after a referendum, to become part of that country, a gesture that Moscow did not recognize.
The geopolitical value of the pro-Russian enclave of Transnistria has increased for the Kremlin since the large-scale invasion of Ukraine, a country that borders the separatist territory.
José Ángel López Jiménez, professor of Public International Law at the Comillas Pontifical University and author of
Belarus: the last Soviet republic
, explains the characteristics of this area in the video that heads this news.