INTL Breakaway Transnistria Asks Russia For 'Protection' - Setting Stage For Military Intervention

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Plain Jane

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Sundance at the Conservative Treehouse has maintained that the US/NATO would use Transnistria as a launch pad to get NATO troops openly involved in the Ukraine War.

US Issues Warning To Breakaway Moldovan Region Seeking Russia's 'Protection' | ZeroHedge

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Breakaway Transnistria Asks Russia For 'Protection' - Setting Stage For Military Intervention​


BY TYLER DURDEN
WEDNESDAY, FEB 28, 2024 - 01:45 PM
As previously predicted, things are erupting in Transnistria at a moment Western officials have warned Moscow not to expand its war beyond Ukraine. The breakaway pro-Russian Moldova region on Wednesday issued a formal request from Moscow for "protection" "in the face of increased pressure," according to AFP.

A special congress of pro-Russian officials passed a resolution which charges the Moldovan government in Chisinau with unleashing "economic war" against Transnistria with an aim to turn it into a "ghetto", which has included blocking imports.
Russian and Transnistrian soldiers march in 2016, in Tiraspol, capital of the breakaway region of Transnistria. Image: Transnistrian diplomacy website

While internationally, the thin sliver of land has been internationally recognized as part of Moldova, it has been under Russian troop presence going all the way back to the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The breakaway republic issued a statement further saying that "The decisions of the current congress cannot be ignored by the international community."

The formal request is expected to be put before Russia's Federation Council and the State Duma at any moment. It asks for Russia "to implement measures to protect Transnistria in the face of increased pressure from Moldova" - and clearly this language suggests military intervention, or else other measures like immense economic and political pressure on Moldova.

Last year, the Council of Europe had formally declared Moldova's breakaway region to "occupied territory" - upgrading its status from what was deemed territory "under the effective control of the Russian Federation."

As we previewed days ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to make a speech before the Federal Assembly of Russia the following day on February 29th.

Although Transnistria has diverse ethnic demographics almost equally apportioned between Russians, Moldovans, Romanians, and Ukrainians, the Russian demographic slightly ekes out its counterparts with a majority of 29% of Transnistrians belonging to the group.

The pro-Russian cultural sentiment of the region is exemplified by its flag, which has remained the same as it was when Transnistria was a part of the Soviet Union. That representative Russian demographic, coupled with broader dissatisfaction of the Moldovan government has fostered support for assimilation into the Russian Federation for quite from time.


Via BBC
In 2006, a Transnistrian double referendum was held gauging popular support for the separatist state's appetite to either renounce its independence and join the Republic Of Moldova or to maintain it and seek to join the Russian Federation. The referendum to become part of Moldova was rejected by 96% of voters while 98% approved of becoming part of Russia.

The support for assimilation into the Russian Federation demonstrated by that referendum has not since waned. If anything, the 2014 Crimean referendum integrate itself with Russia and the subsequent western interventionism culminating in the onset of Russia-Ukraine War has only emboldened Transnistria's aim.

Vadim Krasnoselskii, President Of Transnistria, evidenced his people's dissatisfaction with Moldova's rule over the breakaway region by announcing the congressional assembly to deliberate over the future of the breakaway region, which has resulted in the strong statement urging Russian 'protection' on Wednesday.
 
Doc1

Doc1

Has No Life - Lives on TB
"In 2006, a Transnistrian double referendum was held gauging popular support for the separatist state's appetite to either renounce its independence and join the Republic Of Moldova or to maintain it and seek to join the Russian Federation. The referendum to become part of Moldova was rejected by 96% of voters while 98% approved of becoming part of Russia."


You all should note that the West's oft-vaunted reverence for democracy is only evinced when electorates bend to the western leaders' will.

Otherwise there are coups, Dominion voting machines, Steele dossiers, CIA subversion of elected governments, arms sales and money laundering and endless other, nefarious goings on.

You know...all to protect democracy.

Best
Doc
 
Last edited:
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Plain Jane

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An update...

US Issues Warning To Breakaway Moldovan Region Seeking Russia's 'Protection' | ZeroHedge

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US Issues Warning To Breakaway Moldovan Region Seeking Russia's 'Protection'​


BY TYLER DURDEN
WEDNESDAY, FEB 28, 2024 - 03:25 PM
Update(1525ET): Russian state media says that the country's parliament and Federation Council is preparing to respond positively to Transistria's earlier urgent requestion for Moscow's 'protection' from Moldova, a small eastern European country supported by Washington. Russian legislators have "put forward a request to both the Federation Council and State Duma of Russia, urging them to implement measures to safeguard Transnistria, especially in light of Moldova’s growing pressure. This request is backed up by the fact that over 220,000 Russian citizens reside in Transnistria."

The Biden administration has responded by saying it is "closely watching" the situation, calling the breakaway "occupied" by Russian forces (since Soviet times). "The United States firmly supports Moldova’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders," the State Department said Wednesday.
And it begins...

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1762908518850462108
View: https://twitter.com/USembMoldova/status/1762908518850462108?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1762908518850462108%7Ctwgr%5E0df3b1f1ca8babe657c1f2f409e5f567b86fef93%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.zerohedge.com%2Fgeopolitical%2Fbreakaway-transnistria-asks-russia-protection-setting-stage-military-intervention
 
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www.cnbc.com

West watches for Putin's next move after breakaway region asks Moscow to 'protect' it from Moldova

Russia's Foreign Ministry said protecting that the interests of the residents of Transnistria — calling them "compatriots" — was a priority.
www.cnbc.com www.cnbc.com

West watches for Putin’s next move after breakaway region asks Moscow to ‘protect’ it from Moldova​

PUBLISHED THU, FEB 29 20241:26 AM ESTUPDATED 56 MIN AGO

Holly Ellyatt@HOLLYELLYATT
WATCH LIVE
KEY POINTS
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin’s next move is being watched closely after the pro-Russian, breakaway region of Transnistria in Moldova asked Moscow to protect it.
  • The self-proclaimed pro-Russian authorities of Transnistria on Wednesday asked Moscow to implement measures to protect the region and its economy against an alleged threat from Moldova.
  • Putin delivered his state-of-the-nation address Thursday.
The West is watching Russian President Vladimir Putin’s next move closely after pro-Russian officials in the breakaway region of Transnistria in Moldova appealed to Moscow for “protection” against the Moldovan authorities.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry responded Wednesday by saying protecting that the interests of the residents of Transnistria — calling them “compatriots” — was one of Russia’s priorities and that it would carefully consider the request, the ministry told RIA Novosti.




Analysts believed that Putin could use his state-of-the-nation address — an overview of the current situation in the country, and Russia’s goals at home and abroad — to make an announcement about Transnistria. However, he was tight-lipped about the region in eastern Moldova that Russia has backed since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The self-proclaimed pro-Russian authorities of Transnistria held a congress of senior officials Wednesday, at which they asked Moscow to implement measures to protect Transnistria — a region also known as Transdniestria or Pridnestrovie — and its economy against an alleged threat from Moldova, which has been aiming to reintegrate the region.

“There is social and economic pressure on Transdniestria, which directly contradicts European principles and approaches to the protection of human rights and free trade,” read the text of a resolution from the meeting, Reuters reported.

The document was addressed to Russia’s parliament, the Federal Assembly, asking it “to implement measures to protect Pridnestrovie [Transnistria] in the context of increasing pressure from Moldova,” news agency Tass reported.

The request, officials said, was made “taking into account the fact of permanent residence on the territory of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic [the official name of Transnistria] of more than 220,000 Russian citizens and the unique positive experience of Russian peacekeeping on the Dniester, and also the status of a guarantor and mediator in the negotiation process,” the resolution said.




Moldova’s government dismissed the statement Wednesday as “propaganda,” with a government spokesperson stating that “at this point, we want say clearly and firmly – there are no dangers of escalation and destabilization of the situation in the Transnistrian region of Moldova.”

“We keep a close eye and reiterate that the Transnistrian region is aligned with the goal of peace and security of Moldova. This is another propaganda event,” spokesperson Daniel Voda said.

The White House said it noted the development with U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, stating on Wednesday that “Given Russia’s increasingly aggressive role in Europe, we are watching Russia’s actions in Transnistria and the broader situation there very closely.”

Concerns growing​

While the self-proclaimed authorities of Transnistria have made similar calls in the past, the latest request, amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, is sure to heighten “concerns about Moscow’s broader territorial ambitions in Europe,” Andrius Tursa, Central and Eastern Europe advisor at risk consultancy Teneo, said in emailed comments.
“As a result, recurring rumors about Russia’s alleged plans to annex the region could be part of Moscow’s attempts to heighten political tensions in Moldova ahead of the pivotal autumn 2024 presidential election, which might be held along with a referendum on pursuing EU membership,” he noted.
A map of Moldova, including the breakaway region of Transnistria.

A map of Moldova, including the breakaway region of Transnistria.
Lonely Planet Images | Getty

Russia already has a small military presence in Transnistria and on Ukraine’s western border. No member of the United Nations (including Russia) recognizes Transnistria’s sovereignty, and all U.N. members consider the region to be part of Moldova, which has expressed a desire to reintegrate the region.

The latest call for help gives Russia a feasible excuse to reinforce those numbers, although it would be “extremely difficult” to do so, Tursa noted, because of its landlocked location.

It’s likely that Russia will justify the move by saying it is acting to protect its own citizens. The same tactic has been used in eastern Ukraine with support for pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk, and in the case of the Russian-backed breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in Georgia. Both of those cases led to, or involved, war.

“Transnistria is a focal point for Putin’s games, as he can easily escalate a crisis due to the presence of Russian troops and Russian citizens there,” Ivana Stradner, research fellow at the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank, said in emailed comments.

“Putin understands that as the West is distracted in Ukraine, the Middle East, elections in the EU and the U.S., he can escalate the Transnistria crisis via his proxies and show that the West will not protect Moldova.”

CNBC has contacted the Kremlin for a response to the comments and is awaiting a reply.

The move could also be a precursor to a referendum on joining the Russian Federation, analysts at the Institute for the Study of War said, or to Russian troops not only entering but annexing Transnistria, amid speculation that Russia wants its “land bridge” of occupied territory across a swathe of southern Ukraine to reach Transnistria.
So far, however, Russian forces do not occupy the whole of southern Ukraine, with Kherson, Mykolaiv and Odesa still in Ukrainian hands.
A woman sells candles and incense at the central market in Chisinau, on April 29, 2022. - Russia on April 28, 2022 raised the alarm over acts of terrorism in Moldova's Moscow-backed breakaway region of Transnistria after separatist authorities reported several attacks there this week. Fears of destabilisation in the region grew after a Russian general said the Kremlin's offensive aimed to create a land corridor through southern Ukraine to Transnistria. (Photo by Daniel MIHAILESCU / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL M

A woman selling candles and incense at the central market in Chisinau, Moldova, on April 29, 2022.
Daniel Mihailescu | Afp | Getty Images

Similarly to Ukraine, both Moldova and Georgia have pro-Western governments and want to join the European Union, meaning relations with Russia continue to be tense.

After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, another former Soviet republic, there have been heightened concerns that Georgia and Moldova could be next on the list, given Putin’s apparent ambition to rebuild Russia’s sphere of influence and semblance of a Russian empire.

Any move by Russia to reinforce its military presence in Moldova could put it on a direct collision path with Moldova’s government and armed forces, potentially opening another front in Russia’s expansionist war.
 
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