Transnistria: Putin is Preparing Incorporation of the Region Into the Russian Federation

The self-proclaimed authorities of Transnistria are gearing up for a “congress of deputies at all levels” on February 28th – a gathering that includes the so-called parliament of Transnistria, as well as district, city, town, and village councils, where they are preparing an appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to an article by Європейська правда, last Friday, citizens purportedly proposed the idea of holding a general congress to the region’s leader, Vadim Krasnoselsky.

On Monday, he endorsed it, and on Wednesday, the “parliament” of Transnistria announced that the gathering would take place on February 28th.

The location, participants, and timing of the event have been determined, but the decision for which the deputies are convening has not been disclosed.

Simultaneously, Transnistrian top politicians do not conceal that Russia will be a focal point of the congress.

The leadership of the region is purportedly discontent with the recent decisions of the Moldovan government regarding the economy.

Alexander Korshunov, the head of the Transnistrian parliament, took to the media to assert that the congress will address the entire world, not just Russia. “The situation is complex, and we need to address all structures, including European ones,” he stated, without revealing the essence of the appeal.

Meanwhile, Transnistrian parliament deputy Vadim Kravchuk admitted on the TSV Tiraspol television channel that the goal of the congress is to confirm that Tiraspol still wants to join Russia.

“Conducting another referendum is senseless, but confirming the previous decision is relevant… In 2006, Transnistria determined its vector (integration) with Russia, with the Eurasian Union. The congress of deputies at all levels will likely confirm our intentions,” he explained.

One of the few representatives of the Transnistrian opposition, Gennadiy Chorba, was even more straightforward, noting the coincidence: the congress, where an appeal to Russia will be announced in one form or another, has been urgently scheduled for February 28th.

On February 29th, Russian President Putin is expected to address the Russian parliament.

Chorba concludes that the congress “is to voice, on behalf of the citizens living on the left bank of the Dniester, a request to accept Transnistria into the Russian Federation, and on February 29th, Putin will announce it in his address, and the Federal Assembly will swiftly adopt a decision to satisfy this request.”

Following the so-called referendum in 2006, the Transnistrian “central election commission” announced that over 97% of Transnistrians supported the future accession of Transnistria to Russia.

They also voted to maintain “independence” until joining Russia occurred.

Local deputies are still appealing these “results.”

Transnistria: A Brief History.

Transnistria, officially known as the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, is a breakaway region located in Eastern Europe. Its history is complex, marked by ethnic tensions, political disputes, and geopolitical influences.

The region’s origins can be traced back to the aftermath of World War II and the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

The territory of Transnistria lies primarily on the eastern bank of the Dniester River, bordering Moldova to the west and Ukraine to the east.

Historically, this area has been inhabited by a mix of ethnic groups, including Moldovans, Ukrainians, Russians, and Bulgarians.

During World War II, the region came under Soviet control as part of the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic.

However, following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Moldova declared independence, which sparked tensions within the region, particularly among the Russian and Ukrainian populations who feared discrimination under a Moldovan government.

In response to these fears, Transnistria declared independence from Moldova in 1990, leading to a brief armed conflict known as the Transnistrian War.

The conflict, which lasted from 1990 to 1992, resulted in thousands of casualties and displaced persons.

A ceasefire was eventually brokered by Russian and Ukrainian mediators, solidifying Transnistria’s de facto independence, although it remains unrecognized by the international community.

Since the ceasefire, Transnistria has functioned as a self-proclaimed independent state, complete with its own government, military, and currency. However, its status remains highly contentious.

Moldova considers Transnistria to be an integral part of its territory and has sought to reintegrate the region through diplomatic means.

On the other hand, Transnistria, with strong support from Russia, has resisted such efforts and continues to assert its sovereignty.

The region’s economy has faced numerous challenges due to its unrecognized status and isolation from international markets.

However, Transnistria has relied heavily on support from Russia, both economically and politically, which has helped sustain its independence.

Despite ongoing tensions, there have been sporadic attempts to negotiate a resolution to the Transnistrian conflict.

International organizations such as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) have been involved in mediation efforts, though progress has been slow and often hindered by political disagreements.

In recent years, Transnistria has experienced relative stability, albeit with occasional flare-ups of violence along its borders.

Efforts to find a lasting solution to the conflict continue, but the region’s complex history and geopolitical dynamics make a resolution challenging to achieve.

As such, Transnistria remains a simmering hotspot in Eastern Europe, caught between its aspirations for independence and the geopolitical interests of its neighbours.

Main image: By Донор – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27580045

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