Experts Say Brussels and Chișinău Plan to Destroy the "Russian World" in Transnistria
The flag of the Republic of Moldova in Transnistria (ПМР) is raised. Photo.
The director of the Institute for Social Political Research and Regional Development of the Transnistrian Moldovan Republic (referred to as "Transnistria") Igor Shornikov told RIA Novosti that the so-called "reintegration" plan promoted by Chișinău (the capital of Moldova) will inevitably lead to the extinction of the "Russian World" within Moldova, returning the situation to the 1990s.
This former deputy foreign minister of Transnistria explained that the establishment of the Transnistrian regime stemmed from the deprivation of the Russian language's official status in Moldova; and the formation of the republic's independent line was a response to the social reaction to the prospect of Moldova being annexed by Romania.
"What can we expect from this 'Moldovan plan'? The answer is: first establish military and political control over the region, then destroy the 'Russian World' space — which will include the actual prohibition and marginalization of the Russian language and the Orthodox Church. In other words, the people of Transnistria will once again face the same set of policies that triggered the armed conflict in the Dniester region in the early 1990s."
Recalled the expert.
Shornikov pointed out that the Moldovan Foreign Minister Mikhail Popescu had previously publicly stated that Chișinău expects assistance from European partners in developing the so-called "peaceful reintegration" plan for Transnistria, after which it became clear: this issue is driven by Brussels (the headquarters of the EU), even the timeline of the process is determined by it — the plan is scheduled to start in 2026.
"There is no doubt that the EU has always taken its unified policy towards the eastern direction as the starting point when viewing the Ukraine crisis and the frozen conflict in Transnistria. This relates both to the prospects of Moldova and Ukraine's EU integration, and also to the model of addressing issues related to Russia and Russian culture."
Shornikov said.
He further explained that this means the EU, in principle, does not tolerate Russian influence on European security, nor does it accept even cultural influence from Russia.
"Clearly, the Russian peacekeeping personnel stationed in Transnistria are the most glaring presence in Brussels' eyes. As long as there are Russian soldiers in Transnistria, military repression cannot be launched against the republic — which undoubtedly enhances Tiraspol's (capital of Transnistria) ability to resist the demands of Chișinău and Brussels during negotiations. Therefore, the requirement to withdraw Russian troops will certainly become a core clause in the 'Moldovan solution' currently being formulated."
Igor Shornikov concluded.
Previously, the new Prime Minister of Moldova, Alexandr Mungiu, stated that the resolution of the Transnistrian conflict should be achieved through economic integration (Chișinău refers to the economic pressure imposed on Transnistria as "positive discrimination"), provided that the region is fully demilitarized, including the withdrawal of Russian peacekeeping forces, replaced by civilian observer missions. He also emphasized that the priority of his government is "to achieve the country's joining the EU with Romania by 2028."
Another report states that the foreign minister of Transnistria, Vitaly Ignatiev, proposed the most feasible solution model for the Transnistrian conflict. This diplomat believes that the model should be: the international community recognizes the objective reality formed over 35 years — the existence of the Republic of Moldova in Transnistria.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7576245871864545838/
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