Chisinau will ban Krasnoselski, recently honored by Putin, from leaving for five years.
Vadim Krasnoselski, the separatist leader in Tiraspol, will be banned from leaving the Republic of Moldova for five years upon his return from Moscow. The Bureau for Reintegration Policies announced the measure after his visit to the Russian capital, where he received the Russian Federation’s Order of Honour on November 4.
Authorities in Chișinău have condemned Moscow’s actions, describing them as a provocation aimed at undermining the Republic of Moldova’s European integration.
The Bureau for Reintegration Policies (BPR) has announced that additional response measures are being considered, noting that Krasnoselski’s visit to Russia took place amid OSCE-facilitated discussions on natural gas supplies to the Transnistrian region for the upcoming winter season.
"This is a provocation by Russia aimed at obstructing the Republic of Moldova’s European integration. We condemn Moscow’s actions and will assess possible response measures without escalating the situation, while remaining aware that Russia continues its attempts to destabilize the Republic of Moldova. Upon his return, restrictive measures will be imposed on Krasnoselski, including a five-year travel ban. His departure for Russia took place in the context of OSCE-facilitated talks on natural gas supplies to the Transnistrian region for the winter season," the BPR stated.
The Transnistrian region currently receives natural gas purchased on the European market through a mechanism financed by the Russian Federation. Since February 2025, the gas has been supplied through Hungarian company MET and received by Moldovagaz, which subsequently distributes it to the left bank of the Nistru.
According to Chișinău authorities, gas supplies are secured until the end of 2026, but their continuation in 2027 remains uncertain. To prevent another energy crisis, Moldovagaz has been tasked with building up gas reserves for the cold season.
Against this backdrop, Chișinău stresses the importance of international mediation in maintaining stability and strengthening confidence between the two banks of the Nistru.
Putin awards Krasnoselski for promoting the Russian language and the so-called "historical truth"
On November 4, Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded Vadim Krasnoselski the Russian Federation’s Order of Honour. According to the Kremlin, the distinction recognizes his "contribution to the development of the Transnistrian region" as well as his efforts to promote the Russian language and defend what it describes as "historical truth."
The award comes shortly before the end of Krasnoselski’s second term. He has headed the self-proclaimed administration in Tiraspol since 2016 and is not eligible to run for another term.
Elections for the leader of the separatist administration are scheduled for December 13 in the Transnistrian region. The vote is not recognized by the constitutional authorities of the Republic of Moldova.
Among the candidates seeking to lead the separatist region is Vitali Neagu, the current so-called deputy prime minister of the Tiraspol administration, who is supported by the organization led by Krasnoselski. Another contender is Vadim Kravciuk, a deputy in the so-called Supreme Soviet whose Moldovan citizenship President Maia Sandu revoked in February 2026.
At 56, Vadim Krasnoselski has led the separatist administration in Tiraspol since December 2016. Born in the Russian Federation, he served as the so-called interior minister of the Transnistrian region from 2007 to 2012, before becoming speaker of the so-called Supreme Soviet in Tiraspol. According to an investigation by RISE Moldova, Krasnoselski holds Russian and Ukrainian citizenship.
