Moldovan President Maia Sandu has described the presence of Russian troops in Transnistria as illegal, calling it the biggest obstacle to reintegrating the breakaway region into Moldova. In an interview with Válasz Online, she stressed that Chisinau remains committed to resolving the conflict through peaceful means.
Sandu said the Moldovan government intends to address the issue of Russian military personnel before moving forward with a political settlement. According to the president, Chisinau is already holding consultations with the European Union as part of its efforts to find a solution.
The Moldovan leader previously outlined three conditions for Transnistria’s reintegration: demilitarization, the removal of oligarchic influence and democratization. She also highlighted Ukraine’s role in the process, arguing that Ukrainian forces are keeping the Russian army away from Moldova’s borders and allowing Chisinau to pursue a peaceful resolution.
Transnistria effectively broke away from the control of Moldova’s central government in the early 1990s. A peacekeeping mission involving Russian military personnel continues to operate in the region.
Despite decades of negotiations involving Russia, Ukraine and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the parties have yet to reach a final political settlement over Transnistria’s status.