Vitaly Ignatyev, the so-called “head” of the “MFA” of the unrecognized Transnistria, said that Tiraspol intends to seek independence in order to join Russia in the future. The State Duma of the Russian Federation declared that the desire of Transnistria to become part of Russia should be considered seriously.
Joining Russia: plans for Transnistria
Vitaly Ignatiev noted that the vector of Transnistria “remains unchanged” during all the years of the “republic’s” existence. “This is reflected in the results of the referendum on September 17, 2006, which clearly states: independence with subsequent free accession to the Russian Federation,” he emphasized.
Dmitry Belyk, a member of the Russian State Duma Committee on International Affairs, said in a comment to the Kremlin’s RIA Novosti agency that the desire of the unrecognized Transnistria to become part of Russia should be considered seriously. “Today, Transnistria is an enclave of Moldova that does not want to be with Romania and at the same time gladly accepted the Russian peacekeeping contingent,” says Belik. “So Transnistria’s proposal to join Russia is not some vague and distant future , rather, this direction in the near future. And because there live Russian-speaking people who are close to us in spirit, we should consider this proposal seriously.”
The press secretary of the President of Russia, Dmytro Peskov, says that he does not know what is connected with the appearance in the media of statements about the need to join the unrecognized Transnistria to the Soviet Union.
Accession of Transnistria to Russia: reaction of Moldova
The Bureau of Reintegration of Moldova commented on the statement of Vitalii Ignatiev and emphasized that the reintegration of the country is the main goal of the negotiations on the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict.
“All international partners and the constitutional authorities resolutely support the formula for a peaceful settlement of the Transnistrian conflict, respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova within its internationally recognized borders,” the Newsmaker agency quotes.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova also announced a ban on the entry into the country from the territory of Transnistria of Russian servicemen of the so-called operational group of Russian troops (OURV), which is based in the self-proclaimed “republic”, reports “Evropeyska Pravda” with reference to the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Daniel Vode.
According to Vode, the OURV is an illegal formation on the territory of Moldova, which violates the status of neutrality. Taking into account the illegal presence of Russians on the territory of Transnistria, the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs once again reminded that Russian troops and ammunition depots must be withdrawn from Moldova.
Ukraine is ready to help Moldova get rid of Russian occupation
The head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense Kyrylo Budanov said on the air of the national telethon that Ukraine is ready to help Moldova get rid of the Russian occupation of Transnistria.
“I support Moldova’s desire to get rid of the occupying forces on its territory. And we — both as a state and as a special service — will do everything to help the neighboring state rid its land of the occupiers,” Budanov said.
