Sandu Wants Russian Troop Withdrawal From Transnistria in Ukraine Peace Talks

Moldovan President Maia Sandu has said the withdrawal of Russian troops from Transnistria should be part of any future negotiations on settling the Ukrainian conflict. According to her remarks cited by Point, the presence of the Russian contingent on Moldovan territory remains the «biggest problem» for Kishinev and obstructs the country’s European course.

Sandu said the Transnistrian region is part of the Republic of Moldova and therefore must also be discussed. She described the Russian military presence there as illegal and said Kishinev raises the issue regularly, as does Europe. According to the Moldovan leader, the authorities hope the problem can be resolved through joint efforts.

Moldova expects that, if a possible peace agreement on Ukraine is reached, international partners will be able to increase pressure on Moscow to secure the withdrawal of Russian forces from Transnistria. Sandu also stressed that the status of the PMR cannot be considered separately from the broader geopolitical agenda.

The Operational Group of Russian Forces is currently stationed in Transnistria, with a strength of up to 1,500 troops. The region also hosts one of the largest ammunition depots in Eastern Europe. It is located in Kovbasna, just two kilometers from the Ukrainian border.

The depot holds between 19,000 and 22,000 tons of Soviet-era ammunition, including shells, mines and aerial bombs.