As of: March 12, 2024, 3:39 p.m
By: Franziska Schwarz
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Press
Split
Pro-Russian forces are more active again in Moldova.
Shortly before Putin's expected re-election as Kremlin chief, nerves are tense.
Chisinau – There will be three days of voting in Russia from March 15th.
Polling stations in Transnistria will also be included - which alarms the government in Moldova: The Foreign Ministry “disapproves” of the plan and is therefore now summoning the Russian ambassador.
Transnistria is a breakaway region in Moldova controlled by Russian troops.
The Kremlin under President Vladimir Putin has permanently stationed around 1,500 soldiers in the area.
According to local pro-Russian authorities, 200,000 Russian citizens currently live there, writes the
Moscow Times
.
Russia election: Dispute over polling stations in Moldova and Transnistria
The media reports on the recent tensions between the ex-Soviet Republic of Moldova and Russia do not agree on all details.
The Transnistrian agency
Novosti Pridnestrovya
spoke of six polling stations planned in their own country.
For comparison: in 2018 there were 24.
The Russian state agency
Tass,
in turn, reported this Tuesday (March 12) that only one polling station was planned in the Moldovan capital Chinisau - in contrast to 27 in the last election.
In Latvia, Russian citizens can also take part in the election at the embassy in Riga, although under strict police controls.
Moldova wants to join the EU and sees itself threatened by Russia
At the end of February, a congress of people's representatives in Transnistria asked for Russian protection against alleged Moldovan pressure - shortly afterwards the next region in Moldova asked Putin for "help".
The request from Transnistria is reminiscent of that made by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine in February 2022.
At that time, Moscow used this as an opportunity to attack Ukraine.
Here you can read why Transnistria is so important for Putin's war in Ukraine.
Moldova's head of government accuses Putin of planning a coup
Moscow had warned Chinisau in the past not to take back Transnistria by force.
The Republic of Moldova shares a border with Ukraine and also borders EU and NATO member Romania.
The pro-Western government in Chinisau is striving to join the EU and sees itself threatened by Russia.
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The parliament in Moldova therefore decided on a national security strategy for the first time in twelve years - with an increase in defense spending.
President Maia Sandu described this as a “major step forward in strengthening the security and stability” of her country.
At a checkpoint of the joint Moldovan-Russian peacekeeping force in Tiraspol (capital of Transnistria) at the end of December 2023 © Artem Kulekin/Imago
Moldova denounces disinformation from Russia
Sandu also denounced Russian attempts at intimidation through targeted disinformation.
“The Moscow regime is trying to control my country through energy blackmail, organizing protests, through cyberattacks (...) and even planning a coup,” she said.
There have also been warnings from Germany in the event that Russia attacks Moldova.
Last year the EU decided to start accession negotiations with Moldova and Ukraine.
(frs)