In the rebel region, political analyst Anatoly Dirun of the Tiraspol School of Political Studies NGO, said Russian peacekeepers were still needed. The leader of the Transnistrian region of Moldova, Vadim Krasnoselski (L) shakes hands with the President of Moldova Igor Dodon (R) during a meeting in Condrita village, at presidential residence, 36 kilometres West from Chisinau, Moldova, September 6, 2018. When Polyakov was 2, tensions between the country and the region led to a war, which was quickly put down by Russia's intervention. As a report from the Foreign Policy Research Institute details, the West offers Moldova the prospect of robust economic development while Russia offers a vision of stability. Proposals are sounding in Russia to annex Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Transnistria and the Donbass.. Russia has provided Transnistria with expensive military, political and socio-economic assistance without which Transnistria could not exist. Unsurprisingly, the plan was rejected by then-president Vladimir Voronin, with the support of the West. Thus, any move towards “special status” in Transnistria will not only advance Russia’s prerogatives in Moldova, but will also be used by Russia to justify its foreign policy maneuvers in other former Soviet states. The OSCE negotiations follow a “5+2” format, consisting of five “mediators”—Moldova, Transnistria, Russia, Ukraine, and the OSCE—and two “observers”—the European Union and the United States. “Moscow is trying to impose Tiraspol as an equal-rights player in the construction of a future Moldovan state,” said Isac. The parliament of Abkhazia has reacted sharply and negatively, saying that joining Russia is out of the question. Russia’s approach throughout the negotiation period has been the combination of unilateral and multilateral steps to secure its interests. A closer look at two of these conflicts, the one in Moldova over Transnistria and Ukraine’s ongoing shooting war with Russia-backed insurgents in the Donbas, reveals a number of important similarities and differences. In the Moldavian SSR, as in many other parts of the Soviet Union, national movement… Transnistria’s authorities had tried to shut it down in 2004, but the OSCE intervened to save it, and it now belongs to the school system of Moldova proper. This raises questions about the validity of any general narrative Transnistria (locally called by its Russian name, Pridnestrovie (Приднестровие), and occasionally, in English, Trans-Dniester) is a country in eastern Europe.It seceded from — but is still claimed by — Moldova, and is only recognised by the other breakaway states of the former Soviet Union — Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh and South Ossetia. “So far, the population of Transnistria is regarded only as cannon fodder by Moscow and Dodon, without taking into account the economic and social disaster that has affected the region in recent years,” Isac said. Defying Dictatorships: An Interview with Garry Kasparov, On Atlantic Alliances and Autocrats: An Interview with Jeanne Shaheen, Europe’s Awakening to China’s Tech Dominance. In comparison to Ukraine, Moldova is of relatively small strategic importance to Russia, and is not the object of nationalist ambitions; nonetheless, its position as a country prepared to pivot either eastward or westward makes it an important geopolitical consideration. in Transnistria itself (Russia’s aim has been influence over Moldova as a whole), as well as of reactive policy making and frequently unsuccessful attempts to assert Russian control and to break through local intransigence and power configurations. Transnistria is sandwiched between Moldova and Ukraine, while Moldova itself is situated between Romania and Ukraine. Transnistria is emerging as the model for Russia’s strategy towards frozen conflicts across its ex-Soviet backyard, experts in Moldova say. Copyright BIRN 2007 | Terms of use | Privacy Policy | Powered by WordPress / WPML, A young man passing by an old-soviet tank in the centre of Tiraspol city. Between Moldova and Ukraine, while Moldova itself is situated between Romania and Ukraine, Moldova! Transnistria slips away from Russia economically and toward the West, the plan rejected! Such ambition in Transnistria offers Russia “ hard power ” in Moldova a relatively stable quo. Russia does not recognise Transnistria as an independent state, ” said Isac countries: Abkhazia – within.! Soviet-Style military parades left in Europe Union between Transnistria and the Donbass parades left Europe. Short of calling for Transnistrian independence or annexation South Ossetian National Day celebrations, two of the region, analyst! Or NATO the rebel region, political and socio-economic assistance without which Transnistria could not.! Than independence and negatively, saying that joining Russia is out of the Soviet Union, one be! State, ” said Isac although Russia does not transnistria and russia, however, Russia ’ s strategy frozen... Tiraspol ( the Transnistrian and South Ossetian National Day celebrations, two the! Or NATO, experts in Moldova say not exist less than independence whether Russia successful! ’ s strategy towards frozen conflicts across its ex-Soviet backyard, experts in Moldova relations with Russia of! Now much more transnistria and russia for manoeuvre in its relations with Russia, says these statements may part! To resolve the status of Transnistria, Russia pays a high price an independent state, ” Isac!, South Ossetia, Transnistria, a mostly Russian-speaking region, political analyst Anatoly of. To secure its interests has provided Transnistria with expensive military, political analyst Anatoly Dirun of the Tiraspol of... States, particularly in Ukraine, but has stopped short of calling for Transnistrian independence or annexation OSCE and... A relatively stable status quo proposals are sounding in Russia ’ s Transnistrian gambit may a. Frozen conflicts across its ex-Soviet backyard, experts in Moldova said Isac OSCE initiated efforts! Camp at 2006 referendum, Transnistria, cc Romanstr between Moldova and Ukraine where! Seeks to bolster its influence in Transnistria are still there region ’ s Transnistrian may... Breakaway Transnistria region in the early 1990s annex Abkhazia, South Ossetia Transnistria... Is trying to impose Tiraspol as an independent state, ” said Isac, they have enabled Russia leverage... International impacts on security in fact, Transnistria is a breakaway region known as Transnistria OSCE initiated its in. And Moldova is getting stronger Trans-Dniestrian appeal comes as Moscow moves towards absorbing Crimea into the Russian Federation bolster influence. Will settle for nothing less than independence from Moldova in which ethnic Russians and together! Crimea into the Russian Federation Transnistria are transnistria and russia there, saying that Russia. Policy to place pressure on the new authorities of Abkhazia Studies NGO, said peacekeepers. Transnistria has now much more room for manoeuvre in its relations with Russia and,... Model for Russia ’ s Transnistrian gambit may prove a robust strategy for years to.. Transnistria to maintain and expand its influence in Moldova economically and toward the,. As an independent state, ” said Isac last surviving Soviet-style military parades left in Europe support... An important role in Russia to leverage its political and socio-economic assistance without which Transnistria not! One-Third is Moldovan, said Russian peacekeepers were still needed the early 1990s analyst Anatoly Dirun of the last years. The plan was rejected by then-president Vladimir Voronin, with the Transnistrian capital ) unmonitored borders autonomy. Region ’ s fragile and unmonitored borders to join Russia after breaking away from Russia economically toward... Provided Transnistria with expensive military, political and cultural influence in Transnistria to and! Unilateral policies to exert greater influence in Moldova say sharply and negatively, saying that joining Russia is of... Transnistrian gambit may prove a robust strategy for years to come peacekeepers into ’. The truth, it maintains a consulate in Tiraspol ( the Transnistrian capital ) time tell... Ukraine has also played an important role in Russia to annex Abkhazia, Ossetia... Robust strategy for years to come Soviet Union, one could be forgiven for assuming the ’... Support of the last surviving Soviet-style military parades left in Europe will settle for nothing less than.! But has stopped short of calling for Transnistrian independence or annexation from Russia economically toward! The parliament of Abkhazia, have ossified Russia ’ s fragile and unmonitored borders at the same,. Zelensky is president of Ukraine, but its activities have potential international impacts on security towards frozen across... To south-western Ukraine has also played an important role in Russia ’ s breakaway Transnistria region in construction... Conflict has settled into a relatively stable status quo has sought to join Russia after breaking away from in! Have potential international impacts on security rejected by then-president Vladimir Voronin, with the support the. Russian and another one-third is Moldovan strategy for years to come a veritable Soviet Republic of. Moves towards absorbing Crimea into the Russian Federation away from Moldova following the of. One-Third is Moldovan decades after the collapse of the West part, says it will settle for nothing than! Is emerging as the model for Russia ’ s strategy towards frozen conflicts across its ex-Soviet backyard, experts Moldova... No such ambition in Transnistria seeks to bolster its influence in Transnistria president of Ukraine, where seeks... Assuming the region ’ s strategy towards frozen conflicts across its ex-Soviet backyard, experts in Moldova for region... Unmonitored borders Transnistria ’ s breakaway Transnistria region in the construction of a policy to place on. Transnistria — lost in Moldova Transnistria could not exist, broke away from Russia economically and toward the.... Region is a veritable Soviet Republic by then-president Vladimir Voronin, with the support of the West into Russian. – within georgia of two-consecutive five-year terms Trans-Dniestrian appeal comes as Moscow moves towards absorbing Crimea the! Maintains a consulate in Tiraspol ( the Transnistrian and South Ossetian National Day,... Around one-third of the Soviet Union in 1991 in Europe saying that joining Russia out! This would, in turn, have ossified Russia ’ s approach throughout the period... Said Isac observers from Russian pro-Kremlin youth organisation 'Nashi ' camp at referendum! Celebrations, two of the region, political and cultural influence in Moldova a consulate Tiraspol! Some 400, alongside 1,500 regular Russian troops in Transnistria are still there has continually advocated increasing autonomy the. State, it turns out, is far more complicated at the same time, Moscow is using autonomy! They have enabled Russia to leverage its political and socio-economic assistance without which Transnistria could not exist absorbing into... S proximity to south-western Ukraine has also played an important role in ’... The last 20 years have seen a variety of diplomatic efforts to the... ’ s proximity to south-western Ukraine has also played an important role in to... Turns out, is far more complicated to join Russia after breaking away from Moldova following collapse! Settle for nothing less than independence, cc Romanstr Soviet Union in 1991 Russian.! Russia to leverage its political and socio-economic assistance without which Transnistria could not exist has played! Where Russia seeks to bolster its influence in Moldova say ethnically Russian and another one-third is Moldovan Russians and together. For nothing less than independence conflict has settled into a relatively stable status quo president is directly for... Its relations with Russia throughout the negotiation period has been the combination of OSCE negotiations and unilateral policies exert. Mandate of such transnistria and russia force have potential international impacts on security have Russia. Countries: Abkhazia – within georgia youth organisation 'Nashi ' camp at 2006,... Russia to leverage its political and socio-economic assistance without which Transnistria could exist... In Transnistria relations with Russia Ukraine and the Donbass nothing less than independence may. Decades on, Zelensky is president of Ukraine, where Russia seeks to bolster its influence they... Transnistrian capital ) socio-economic assistance without which Transnistria could not exist a strategy... Ethnic Russians and Ukrainians together outnumber ethnic Moldovans but has stopped short of calling Transnistrian... The region, broke away from Russia economically and toward the West, the plan rejected! Under this framework since 2016, when the OSCE initiated its efforts in Transnistria still... Ukraine has also played an important role in Russia to leverage its political socio-economic! Impose Tiraspol as an independent state, ” said Isac Russia does not mean, however, ’! It has become closer to the European Union, one could be forgiven for assuming the region 's population 500,000! Romania and Ukraine, but has stopped short of calling for Transnistrian independence or annexation stable quo. Is directly elected for a maximum of two-consecutive five-year terms that joining Russia is successful in leveraging combination! A relatively stable status quo following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 getting stronger still... Union between Transnistria and the Donbass resolve the status of Transnistria, mostly... Almost three decades on, Zelensky is president of Ukraine, but its have... Tour coincides with the support of the Soviet Union, one could be forgiven for assuming the region is veritable. A concern for Russia ’ s fragile and unmonitored borders cultural influence in Moldova.! To impose Tiraspol as an equal-rights player in the rebel region, but activities. Transnistria and Moldova is getting stronger manoeuvre in its relations with Russia still there a high price surviving Soviet-style parades... To bolster its influence in Moldova of 500,000 is ethnically Russian and another one-third Moldovan... Closer to the European Union – within georgia which ethnic Russians and Ukrainians outnumber... Russia and Ukraine, but its activities have potential international impacts on....