Moldova’s Breakaway Region Appeals for Help From Russia; Chisinau Government Claims Propaganda Stunt To Gain Headlines

The authorities in Moldova's Russia-aligned separatist region of Transnistria requested assistance from Moscow on Wednesday, amid rising tensions with the pro-Western administration.

Moldova, a potential European Union member, used new customs tariffs on Jan. 1, 2024 for goods entering and leaving Transnistria, a region neighboring Ukraine that lacks recognition from any UN member states, including Russia, which has strong connections to the area, as per ABC News.

Transnistria's Appeal to Russia Amid Rising Tensions

(Photo : STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images)
Vadim Krasnoselsky (C), the head of Transnistria - Moldova's pro-Russian breakaway region, takes part in a congress of Transnistrian deputies in Tiraspol on February 28, 2024.

The self-proclaimed and internationally unrecognized microstate of Transnistria, which is located on the eastern bank of the Dniester River, has made a formal request for protection to Russia. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the region that is primarily Russian-speaking broke away from Moldova and established its own national government in 1992. This was the beginning of the present standoff, which can be traced back to the aftermath of the fall of the Soviet Union.

Transnistria's Congress of Deputies held a rare session in which they made an appeal for Russian assistance. Moscow did not respond to a similar request made in 2006, despite its resemblance to this one. The plea gained an additional geopolitical facet when President Vladimir V. Putin delivered a state of the country speech at the same time.

While Transnistria explicitly asked the two houses of Russia's Parliament for unspecified measures to safeguard against increasing Moldovan pressure, it notably stopped short of seeking annexation. The enclave's president, Vadim Krasnoselsky, claimed that a "policy of genocide" was being applied against Transnistria, a statement reminiscent of unsubstantiated claims made during Russia's involvement in eastern Ukraine.

Unexpectedly, Transnistria additionally asked for support from the Red Cross, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and the European Parliament, demonstrating a multifaceted strategy to handle its issues. The Russian Legislature's Committee on International Affairs specified that the request was mainly for economic aid rather than military assistance, according to New York Times.

Russian Spokesperson Warns of Moldova Tensions

Russia's foreign ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, accused Moldova and the West of needlessly heightening tensions and speculated annexation, stating that NATO was attempting to shape a situation akin to Ukraine, contrary to the desires of the Moldovan population.

This scenario could become an urgent problem during an election year, potentially leading to increased tensions between Transnistria and Moldova's government supporting the European Union. The continuous challenge, albeit restricted, is exacerbated by the lack of a physical border separating Russia and Moldova, along with the pressure on Russian forces.

Concerns have also emerged regarding potential election interference, with the US anticipating increased political meddling from Russia ahead of Moldova's presidential elections. Moldova's pivot westward under President Sandu's leadership, seeking EU membership, has fueled suspicions of Russian attempts to destabilize the nation.

The NATO Deputy Secretary General expressed dedication to supporting Chisinau in the situation of Russia adding Transnistria, but Russian authorities dismissed what he said as speculation. With the changing geopolitical landscape, the international community is closely monitoring developments in the Eastern European region, Bloomberg reported.