Moldova–Transnistria relations

Moldova has announced plans to expel a staff member from the Russian embassy following allegations of election interference in the breakaway Transnistrian region, according to reports by Reuters.

Amidst an alleged "economic blockade imposed by Moldova", the parliament of Transnistria, a self-proclaimed republic unrecognized by the international community, has issued an appeal to Russia for assistance. The resolution, adopted yesterday, urges the Russian parliament to take measures to protect Transnistria in the face of increased pressure from Moldova.

"The Republic of Moldova vehemently condemns threats directed at Moldova made by a Russian representative in the occupied part of Ukraine to attack a bridge between Moldova and Romania. This is not acceptable".

President Katerina Sakellaropoulou said the 2nd European Political Community Summit, held in Chisinau, Moldova on Thursday will promote security and stability in Europe.

"I am in Moldova, representing Greece at the 2nd European Political Community Summit, which is taking place in the shadow of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine," Sakellaropoulou told journalists on arrival.

Under a pro-European leadership, Moldova has sought to rid itself of Russian influence, but it won't be easy, especially with Russian soldiers in Transnistria.

Moldova expressed concern on Friday after Russian soldiers stationed in the breakaway region of Transnistrian, participating in the peacekeeping mission in the buffer zone between Moldova and the region, undertook military manoeuvres without seeking Chisinau's consent.

Just half an hour's drive from Ukraine's southern border, hundreds of Russian soldiers are guarding a large ammunition depot in the breakaway Moldovan region of Transnistria.
This warehouse, these soldiers and this pro-Russian separatist region have been under increasing global surveillance in recent days, Slobodna Dalmacija reports, citing BBC.

A Russian journalist in Moldova, Nikolay Kostyrkin, was questioned by police on Thursday on suspicion of incitement to inter-ethnic hatred and pro-Russian war propaganda.

Kostyrkin used to be editor of the gagauznews.md news website and worked for Sputnik Moldova, the Kremlin's mouthpiece in Moldova.

The Defence Ministry of the breakaway region of Transnistria in Moldova has ordered the mobilisation of all men between 18 and 55, "at a special meeting to replenish the peacekeeping contingent," a statement issued to the heads of local administrations in Transnistria said.

The leadership of the Transnistrian republic is expected to declare mobilization and join the war against Ukraine after several "explosions". This morning, the situation in the unrecognized Russian enclave in Moldova worsened and people began to leave the borders in crowds.