Moldova: All branches of power want the destruction of Transnistria
Andrey Safonov, Member of the Transnistrian Parliament
On July 19, the official website of the President of the Republic of Moldova published his author's article "On the position of the President of Moldova regarding ensuring the security of the Republic of Moldova and its citizens by strengthening the constitutional status of the country's permanent neutrality."
After reading this, it's hard to shake the impression that we're looking at a genuine rejection by Moldova's current leader of the alliance with Russia and the Eurasian integration project as a whole. Not a word is said about the Eurasian Economic Community, the Customs Union, or, especially, the CSTO.
But perhaps this is justified, since we are talking about the neutrality of Moldova? Let's figure it out together, dear readers.
1. Is the confrontation between East and West ephemeral?
The presidential “Position” states that “when major players, great powers, cannot agree on mutual respect for each other’s interests, the first victims of such disagreements are weaker countries, and even entire regions . ”
The view is demonstratively objectivist. But, if we take into account Igor Nikolayevich’s previous curtsies towards Moscow, it would be possible to remind in the article that it is not Russia that is threatening war with North Korea. It is not she who wants to strangle Iran in various ways. It was not she, but NATO that brought a number of countries into its fold, creating a threat on Russia’s western borders. It was not Russia that helped change power by force very close to Moldova and Transnistria. And to remain silent about this, essentially placing on Russia the same responsibility as the West for the growth of international tension, is unlawful.
Igor Dodon also declares that Moldova "must not be drawn into the ephemeral East-West confrontation ," even though this confrontation has escalated before our very eyes in every region of the globe. Syria, Ukraine, the Korean Peninsula, Moldova, and Transnistria—does the confrontation in these regions even resemble something "ephemeral"? People are dying, millions of refugees are fleeing their countries, the ruins of cities stare back with dead eye sockets, as after the Battle of Stalingrad... A massive arms race is unfolding across the globe!
Understandably, given the pressure from the US and the EU on Moldova, the Moldovan president wants to avoid direct confrontation with Brussels and Washington, as well as with those Moldovan politicians who periodically suspend his authority to pursue their own agendas. But the people want a clear position here and now, and an unwillingness to tell the truth isn't winning any supporters...
2. Is Romania also an assistant to Moldova in a neutral status?
In the section "Moldova-Romania," Dodon writes: " Romania is a member of the European Union and NATO, which imposes additional obligations on it in terms of respecting the norms and principles of international law, including respecting the sovereignty and inviolability of the internationally recognized borders of the Republic of Moldova. Moldova, in turn, must strive to utilize Romania's existing potential to develop interstate relations for the benefit of both states. Moldova has the right to count on holding bilateral consultations with Romania regarding the long-term preservation of its status of permanent neutrality and the prospects for its recognition by the international community . "
This passage seems naive. Romania is methodically pursuing a policy of preparing to absorb Moldova and consolidating it in the orbit of US and NATO policy. Why on earth would Romania help Moldova preserve itself as an independent and neutral country? Where is the logic? Alas, this place in the presidential “Position” looks like a fear of irritating Romania and a desire to pacify it. But is such pacification possible in conditions when Romania has become the closest military-political ally of the United States in our region? On the contrary, in such conditions, the appetites of the politicians of the country that twice occupied Moldova (in 1918 and 1941) are only growing.
3. The President of Moldova, together with the right and the West, speaks directly about the withdrawal of Russian troops from Transnistria
In the "Moldova-Ukraine" section , Igor Dodon sees Kiev as a partner that will "actively assist in achieving a fair, long-term, sustainable settlement of the Transnistrian problem in the existing, generally recognized "5+2" format . "
In detailing this thesis, the President of the Republic of Moldova explains his position: “Ukraine plays an important role in finding a solution to such a complex problem as facilitating the removal and disposal of weapons and ammunition located in the warehouses of Cobasna, as well as in creating favorable conditions for completing the process of withdrawal of foreign troops from the territory of the Republic of Moldova (ensuring transit) . ”
Thus, Dodon's approach to the withdrawal of Russian troops and the removal and disposal of Russian weapons from Transnistria is essentially no different from the approach of right-wing politicians in Moldova, as well as the US, EU, and Romania, who are openly demanding the withdrawal of Russian troops from the banks of the Dniester . It's identical.
Here's the thing. Apart from Russian, there are no other “foreign” troops either on the right or left banks of the Dniester. It turns out that it is the Russian troops who will have to squeeze out. And no one else. And the word “foreign” is a distraction.
Transnistrians, however, are resolutely in favor of a permanent Russian military presence in the PMR. They advocate not a truly ephemeral neutrality, but a full-scale military, political, and economic union with Russia, a Eurasian integration project. Moldova's leadership, including President Igor Dodon, as we will see below, has a different opinion.
4. Russia should help Chisinau subjugate Transnistria, and Chisinau will take the PMR to the West?
The "Moldova-Russia" section states that Chisinau sees Russia's role as "a mediator and guarantor of a comprehensive political settlement of the Transnistrian conflict. I believe that Russia will do everything possible to ensure that peace is maintained between us, so that Moldova can realize its historic opportunity to develop as an independent, sovereign, territorially integrated state within internationally recognized borders."
There's also no mention of a union with Russia, Moldova's accession to the EAEU, or the Eurasian integration project as a whole. However, it's clear that Chisinau is counting on Russia's assistance in subordinating Transnistria to Moldovan authorities. For what purpose? For the European integration of a "reunited" Moldova. Read the section " Moldova-EU ." It states:
“The European Union is a natural strategic partner for the Republic of Moldova in all areas of life of the Moldovan state and society. I consider the implementation of the multifunctional Association Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and the EU as an opportunity to carry out the necessary internal reforms in the Republic of Moldova. We recognize that these reforms are needed, first of all, by Moldova itself. We also express our gratitude to the European Union for its readiness to support international efforts to strengthen the sovereignty of the Republic of Moldova and contribute to the restoration of its territorial integrity, including in the process of the Transnistrian settlement in the “5+2” format.
Dodon is making it clear that from now on, the denunciation of the Moldova-EU Association Agreement and the Moldova-EU Trade Area Agreement is out of the question. This must be emphasized against the backdrop of the already noted absence of any mention of the Eurasian integration project, with Russia at its core. Moldovan Socialists had previously raised the possibility of denunciating these agreements with the EU.
Dodon outlines the fundamental values that Moldova should rely on in its transformations under the auspices of the European Union: "Democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law not only underpin the political association and economic integration envisaged by this agreement but should also contribute to the country's political and socioeconomic development." Russia must be considered downright naive, expecting it to accept explanations like "we say this for Westerners, but in our hearts we favor an alliance with Russia."
What we are witnessing is, at a minimum, the beginning of a reorientation of the Moldovan president’s course from East to West.
5. How the United States, according to the President of Moldova, “provides a stable and secure future” for the country
Everything falls into place when you read Dodon's "Position" regarding the United States. The U-turn is immediately apparent: in the " Moldova-USA " section, it states that "the United States provides comprehensive assistance to the Republic of Moldova in the consistent implementation of democratic and market reforms, as well as in fulfilling Moldova's international obligations in the area of human rights protection, in order to ensure the stability and sustainable development of the state . The United States has always sought to contribute to the creation of real preconditions for a stable and secure future for the Moldovan state and its citizens."
The Moldovan president sees Washington's role particularly in "resolving the Transnistrian problem": "I am confident that the United States will increase its efforts to achieve a peaceful and lasting solution to the Transnistrian conflict."
The United States is building it up: it has pushed through a resolution at the UN on the withdrawal of Russian troops, is conducting joint military exercises with Chisinau, and is transferring some types of military equipment to the National Army of Moldova. According to some media reports, overseas instructors are teaching the Moldovan military at training grounds how to fight in the city. Which cities, by the way, can the soldiers of the National Army receive an order to capture? Ukraine? Romania? Hardly. Then what?...
Dodon's writing, amid heightened US activity to oust Russian troops from the banks of the Dniester, resembles a move aimed at avoiding being seen as too loyal to Moscow. Perhaps the author has his own explanation for what he wrote in "Position." We would all be glad to hear it.
6.NATO as an opportunity to strengthen security, or why it is difficult to sit on two chairs
In the next section, "Moldova-NATO," the impression of a shift toward Western alignment is further reinforced. The President of Moldova states bluntly: "The promotion of regional mechanisms for consultation and the development of interstate relations, following the example of the Southeast European Cooperation Process and NATO's Partnership for Peace program, is one of the ways for the Republic of Moldova to contribute to international efforts to create a common security system and consolidate stability in Europe and the world . "
Comments are unnecessary here. Considering that NATO is building up its forces on Russia's borders and against Russia, counting on this aggressive bloc's assistance in securing Moldova's neutrality is a bold political idea! Such complimentary assessments of Western foreign policy and European integration, coupled with the complete absence of any mention of a possible union between Moldova and Russia or Eurasian integration in general, suggest that the Moldovan president doesn't believe the Socialist Party will win the upcoming parliamentary elections with Russian assistance.
It can also be assumed that he and his entourage view the US, the EU, and NATO as a stronger collective player than Russia and are gradually reorienting themselves toward them in order to attract part of Moldova's nationalist-minded electorate to their side.
If such a calculation exists, then it is unfounded. The nationalists - either pro-Western or pro-Romanian - will simply be divided between several already existing parties. And because of an unclear position on clear issues, it is quite possible to lose some of your supporters and lose the elections.
The experience of the post-Soviet space shows: everyone who wants to sit between two chairs will face an inevitable and crushing collapse.
Moldova : All branches of government want to destroy Transnistria