US closely monitoring Transnistria as pro-Russian officials appeal to Moscow for protection
The breakaway Moldovan region of Transnistria has caught the attention of the United States, as pro-Russian officials in the territory have recently appealed to Moscow for “protection”. Transnistria, which shares a border with war-stricken Ukraine, has maintained autonomy from Moldova with the support of Russia for the past three decades. Russia has stationed over a thousand troops in the region since a brief war in 1992.
With Moscow’s ongoing assault on Ukraine, there are concerns that the Kremlin could utilize Transnistria to open a new front in the southwest, towards Odesa. The request for Russia’s assistance in bolstering Transnistria’s economy against Moldovan “pressure” was made following a meeting of hundreds of officials in the unrecognized region. This resolution coincided with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s annual address to Russian lawmakers and Ukraine’s recent setbacks on the battlefield. Speculations have arisen that Putin might address the Transnistrian issue in his speech and express support for the region.
However, Moldova’s pro-European government has dismissed the appeal as a mere propaganda event aimed at garnering headlines. The region, long considered a potential flashpoint with Russia in Europe, held a “congress of deputies of all levels” after Moldova announced that Transnistrian companies would be required to pay import duties to the central budget starting from January. During this meeting, the congress passed a resolution stating its intention to appeal to both houses of Russia’s parliament “with a request to implement measures to protect [Transnistria] in the face of increasing pressure from Moldova”. Russian officials responded by emphasizing that protecting this small strip of land was one of their “priorities”. Despite being de facto controlled by pro-Russian forces since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Transnistria is internationally recognized as part of Moldova.
In light of Russia’s increasingly aggressive role in Europe, the US State Department has expressed its close monitoring of Russia’s actions in Transnistria and the broader situation in the region. Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the State Department, stated, “Given Russia’s increasingly aggressive role in Europe, we are watching Russia’s actions in Transnistria and the broader situation there very closely.”
Tensions surrounding Transnistria escalated following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The separatist region claims to have 220,000 Russian citizens, further straining relations between Moldova and Russia as the Moldovan government has pursued a pro-European path. Moldova’s President, Maia Sandu, who was attending a summit of Southeast European countries in Albania, reiterated her country’s commitment to a peaceful resolution of the Transnistrian conflict. She stated, “What the government is doing today is making small steps for the economic reintegration of the country.”
The situation in Transnistria has raised concerns among international leaders. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the tensions as dangerous for the region, emphasizing that this issue is not new and that the “threat of Russian intervention or at least some provocation there is something permanent”.
The recent call for assistance from Moscow draws parallels to February 2022 when Russian-backed militants in eastern Ukraine requested protection against what they claimed were relentless attacks and shelling by Ukrainian forces.
As the situation in Transnistria continues to unfold, it remains a critical area of interest for global powers. The US and other nations will closely monitor developments to ensure regional stability and prevent any further escalation of tensions.