On Thursday, Anton Herashchenko, an advisor to Ukraine’s Interior Ministry, announced that Moldovan President Maia Sandu is set to join the European Union (EU) sanctions on Russia and is also planning to send humanitarian aid and “de-mining professionals” to help clear up recently liberated Ukrainian territory. The move comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the Russia-backed separatist territory of Transnistria in Moldova.
Earlier this month, Sandu made it clear that while Moldova opposes Russia’s actions in Ukraine, “joining the anti-Russian sanctions could jeopardize Moldova’s gas supplies.” Moreover, she also noted that Chișinău could not risk the economic and security vulnerabilities that might arise as a consequence of sanctioning Moscow.
The U.S. has called on all its citizens to leave Transnistria.
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) April 28, 2022
It’s time to reinstate Moldova’s full territorial integrity. pic.twitter.com/D34pyvcx8C
However, Moldova’s supposed decision to join the EU sanctions against Russia is yet to be made public officially. The timing of this latest development coincides with increasing concerns of destabilisation in Transnistria.
Earlier this week, the Transnistrian secret service reported that its building had been bombed, alleging that the Ukrainian government was responsible. Later, the separatist region’s government disclosed a “terrorist attack” on a military unit near its capital, Tiraspol. In a major escalation, the Defence Ministry of Transnistria issued an order calling for the mobilisation of all men between the ages of 18 and 55 to “replenish the peacekeeping contingent.”
The US Army was recorded in Romania today, heading for the Ukrainian border.
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) April 27, 2022
Looks like the US doesn’t want to take any chances if there would be a Russian amphibious attack on Budjak, followed by an offensive towards Transnistria/Moldova.
🇷🇴🇺🇸🇺🇦pic.twitter.com/z2pFzhOnsp
Subsequently, President Sandu called for an emergency meeting of Moldova’s Security Council. After the meeting, she blamed “pro-war factions” in Transnistria for ramping up tensions. “We condemn any challenges and attempts to lure the Republic of Moldova into actions that could jeopardize peace in the country,” Sandu asserted, underscoring her support for the peaceful settlement of the conflict.
Moldova’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nicu Popescu, described the situation as a “dangerous deterioration,” noting that the government has been put on high alert. He said, “We cannot point exactly the finger or put the blame,” but noted Moscow has assured Chișinău that it will continue to recognise Moldova’s territorial integrity.
Earlier, the U.S., Germany, France, and Canada told their citizens to leave Moldova over the “deteriorating security situation” in Transnistria.
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) April 28, 2022
Ukraine, for its part, has blamed Russia for destabilising the region. “The goal is obvious, destabilising the region’s situation and threatening Moldova,” President Volodymyr Zelensky stated.
Last week, senior Russian military member Rustam Minnekaev said that Moscow seeks to establish full control over Donbas and southern Ukraine. Moreover, Minnekaev mentioned, “Control over the south of Ukraine is another way out to Transnistria, where there are cases of Russian-speaking people being oppressed.”