Ukraine at risk from Russian attack via Transnistria? Ambassador answers
Photo: Paun Rohovei, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Moldova (facebook.com/paun/rohovei)
In an interview with RBC-Ukraine, Ukraine's Ambassador to Moldova, Paun Rohovei, says that Ukraine has managed to keep the situation in the so-called "Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic" under control and prevent any provocations from Russian troops stationed there.
"At the initial stage of Russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine, there was a real danger, the front was moving, and in Russia's plans — you understand this perfectly — there was both Odesa and Transnistria. Moscow wanted to occupy part of Moldova," the Ambassador said.
According to him, preventing any provocations from Transnistria became a priority for Ukrainian diplomacy, and he even had to hold meetings with the de facto leaders of the region for this purpose.
"When it became clear that the Russians would not be able to capture us, they no longer focused on Transnistria. We felt that a vacuum had formed there. And it was necessary to do everything possible to keep a finger on the pulse and prevent any provocations against our country," Rohovei noted.
He added that all of Ukraine's actions were carried out in close coordination with the Moldovan authorities and Ukraine's Western partners. "You may have noticed that over the years, many tried to stir up the situation, but nothing of the sort happened there," the Ambassador said.
Moreover, he categorically dismissed the possibility of any preemptive military actions by Ukraine in Transnistria, which are occasionally speculated about on social media.
"There could never have been any military action from our side in this region. Ukraine is a state governed by the rule of law and a subject of international law. We are defending ourselves from Russian aggression while not interfering in the affairs of other countries," the Ambassador emphasized.
Pressure on Moldova from Russia
Russia aims to disrupt Moldova's path toward European integration. In the spring, the Kremlin approved a strategy intended to reduce the chances of Maia Sandu's party winning parliamentary elections.
In June, reports emerged that Russia planned to significantly increase the number of its troops in Transnistria, though the aggressor has not yet been able to deploy them.
Additionally, Maia Sandu reported that Russia is preparing "unprecedented interference" in Moldova's parliamentary elections. She stated that the aggressor country plans to allocate €100 million in cryptocurrency to bribe voters. Law enforcement has already imposed 25,000 fines for such activities.
