Moscow: Amidst an unprecedented turn in the current Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Russia-backed breakaway Transnistria region in neighbouring Moldova has demanded recognition of independence. On Saturday 5th March 2022, the separatist authorities in Tiraspol announced in a press release that they disagree with Moldova’s request to join the European Union. They also demanded the recognition of Transnistria’s independence in the same press release.
According to a report by Romania Journal, the Foreign Ministry of the de-facto govt in Transnistria said it was unhappy that the Transnistrian side had not been consulted before Moldova requested to join the EU, and called on the Moldova govt in Chisinau to dialogue “for a civilized divorce and the establishment of inter-state relations.”
In the press release, the separatist authorities have said, “We regard the submission by the Republic of Moldova’s leadership of an application for membership in the European Union as a geopolitical decision leading to a change in international borders and spheres of influence in the regional space and radically altering the circumstances of the final settlement of Moldovan-Pridnestrovian relations. We understand the decision of our neighbouring republic’s leadership.”
Transnistria is a narrow strip of land on the eastern side of Moldova bordering Ukraine to the east. It lies between the Moldova-Ukraine borer on the east and the Dniester River on the west. Even though it is recognised as a part of Moldova, it is a de-facto independent state which is backed by Russia. Transnistria has its own government, parliament, military, police, postal system, currency, and vehicle registration, and is a semi-presidential system of governance. Officially called the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, the unrecognised republic has its own flag, constitution, national anthem, and coat of arms.
Russia maintains around 1,500 troops in Transnistria, a significant number given that the breakaway state’s military has only around 5000 soldiers. The Transnistrian administration is heavily tilted towards Russia. In fact, when Russia had annexed Crimea, the Transnistrian parliament’s president had asked to merge with Russia. Moreover, most people in Transnistria identify themselves as Russians, and also have passports issued by Russia.
Therefore, Transnistria demanding recognition of its independence is bad news for Ukraine. Although Russia at present does not recognise it as an independent nation, Putin can recognise it now and can send more troops there. This will mean, the western border of Ukraine, which has been considered relatively safe, will no longer be safe along the Moldova border at the southwest. Russia already surrounds Ukraine on the east, north and significant portion on the south, along with ally Belarus, and an independent Transnistria will mean Russian presence on the east too.
As Russia already controls Crimea, it can launch attacks from both Crimea and Transnistria, and cut off Ukraine from the black sea. This will effectively turn Ukraine into a landlocked country.