Political

Moldova's Stance: Peaceful Resolution Amid Transnistrian Conflict

Ukraine has not requested Moldova's involvement in resolving the Transnistrian conflict. This assertion was made by President Maia Sandu during an interview in Chișinău conducted by Russian journalist Yuri Dudi.

"I must emphasise that we have not received any such proposals officially. We have consistently maintained and will continue to assert that the resolution of the Transnistrian conflict can only be achieved through peaceful means," stated Maia Sandu.

Furthermore, the head of state affirmed that the authorities in Chișinău reject any resolution of the Transnistrian dispute through military intervention.

When queried about Moldova's response to a potential Russian invasion, Maia Sandu assured that every effort would be made to prevent such an occurrence.

"Our European integration strategy prioritises security, as the EU represents the guarantee of peace. According to our Constitution, we are obligated to uphold peace and ensure the safety of our citizens. Hence, we maintain a military presence, invest in defence, and remain committed to defending our nation," she emphasised.

It's noteworthy that President of Parliament Igor Grosu previously stated that Ukraine has never proposed a quick resolution plan for the Transnistrian conflict following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "I do not advocate for hasty solutions. Rushing into action would inevitably lead to conflict, a scenario we cannot condone despite the fervour expressed in public discourse," Grosu stated in an interview with Radio Free Europe.

Moreover, Grosu clarified that there are no disagreements between Chișinău and Kiev regarding the resolution of the Transnistrian dispute.

Presently, authorities on both sides of the Dniester are engaged in discussions within a smaller 1+1 group, stemming from the former 5+2 format, which became defunct following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Over the past three decades, the Russian Federation has exploited the Transnistrian conflict to bolster its influence in the region and exert pressure on Chișinău. Despite some progress in negotiations, notably in the 5+2 format, no significant strides have been made towards resolution.

Authorities in Tiraspol have shown little interest in resolving the conflict, preferring to evade finding a mutually beneficial solution. They continue to benefit from economic, political, and military support from Moscow.

A complex mechanism for conflict resolution was launched in 2005, focusing on diplomatic negotiations regarding the status of the Transnistrian region. However, negotiations in the 5+2 format have failed to address the political and security issues at the heart of the conflict. The last meeting in this format occurred in 2019.

Translation by Iurie Tataru

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