Tiraspol calls on Russia for diplomatic action amid economic blockade
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After the appeal was issued, Russia's Foreign Ministry affirmed its commitment to safeguarding the interests of Transnistrian residents.
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A combination of images made available on the official Telegram channel of Supreme Council of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic shows, top, Alexander Korshunov, Chairman of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic's Supreme Council, addressing delegates, and bottom, delegates attending a session at Tiraspol, the capital of the breakaway region of Transnistria, in Moldova, Feb. 28, 2024 (AP)
Transnistria has reached out to Russia for increased diplomatic efforts in order to lift an economic blockade imposed by Moldova's capital, Chisinau.
"We have asked to step up political and diplomatic measures since Russia is one of the international mediators in the international settlement process in the 5+2 format," Foreign Minister of Transnistria Vitaly Ignatiev told the Rossiya 24 broadcaster.
He added that Tiraspol expects Russia to make a decision with consideration of the fact that a large portion of the population identifies as Russian-speaking or Russophone.
Read more: Situation on borders 'tense': Transnistria Head
Earlier in the day, a congress of Transnistrian lawmakers convened in Tiraspol, where a declaration was adopted appealing to Russia for support.
The declaration sought measures to protect Transnistria from increasing pressure by Moldova, referencing the region's substantial Russian population and the historical role of Russian peacekeeping forces.
"Accept an appeal to the Federation Council and the State Duma of Russia with a request to implement measures to protect Transnistria in the context of increasing pressure from Moldova, taking into account the fact of permanent residence on the territory of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic of more than 220,000 Russian citizens and the unique positive experience of Russian peacekeeping on the Dnister River, as well as status of guarantor and mediator in the negotiation process," the declaration read.
The document notes that the PMR is faced with unprecedented challenges and threats of an economic, social, humanitarian, and military-political nature.
In response, Russia's Foreign Ministry affirmed its commitment to safeguarding the interests of Transnistrian residents, stating that all requests from the region are carefully considered. The ministry reiterated Russia's stance on prioritizing stability and security in the region amidst ongoing tensions.
"Protecting the interests of the residents in Transnistria, our compatriots, is one of our priorities. All requests are always carefully considered by the relevant departments" the Russian Foreign Ministry told TASS.
Read more: Kiev preparing armed provocation against Transnistria: Russian MoD
Transnistria (formally, Pridnestrovian Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic) was an autonomous region in Moldova and now is a self-proclaimed republic.
The region is the formal successor of the Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. Transnistria is widely unrecognized; most countries recognize Moldovan sovereignty over the Transnistrian territory.
The blockade was introduced in 2006 as a result of Ukraine's implementation of new customs regulations along its border with the region.
Ukraine declared that it would only accept goods from Transnistria with documentation processed by Moldovan customs authorities, in accordance with a joint customs protocol agreed upon between Ukraine and Moldova.
Transnistria and Russia perceived this move by Ukraine as an "economic blockade."
In retaliation, Transnistria blocked Moldovan and Ukrainian transportation at its borders. Though the blockade was lifted after two weeks, the Moldovan and Ukrainian blockade remained in place.
