Russian President Vladimir Putin is in the international spotlight over the possibility of a new land grab that will challenge the West. According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), this suggested that Russia could soon announce its takeover of Transnistria, the separatist region in Moldova.
TRansnistria, an unrecognized state, lies between Moldova and Ukraine. along the Dniester River. Putin already maintains a “peacekeeping force” of up to 2,000 soldiers in the region, citing the population’s overwhelming desire to join Russia. There is also speculation about the presence of thousands of Russian paramilitaries on site.
The Russian president could used his speech to the Russian Federal Assembly on February 28 to give the green light for annexation, according to various sources. Previously, a “congress” of local politicians in Transnistria convened a day earlier was able to make a formal call to join Russia, as has happened on previous occasions.
NEW | WARNING: Transnistria may organize a referendum on joining Russia to support the Russian hybrid operation against Moldova
The pro-Russian breakaway region of Transnistria could call for or organize a referendum on Transnistria’s annexation to Russia at a recently announced meeting. pic.twitter.com/nfZTFuVUjW
— Institute for War Studies (@TheStudyofWar) February 23, 2024
Gennadiy Chorba, local opposition politician, seeHe claims that this annexation plan is part of Putin’s re-election strategy. The possible annexation of Transnistria would give Russia a “legal” power to enter the region, which has been in a state of limbo since the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Experts point out that Putin has found that the West is not responding to meet Ukraine’s weapons needs and believes it could successfully carry out another annexation. Furthermore, this potential action could be used as a strategic point for the advance against the rest of Moldova and as a starting point for attacks on the Ukrainian port of Odessa.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow “will not abandon its citizens living in Transnistria.” Moldovan President Maia Sandu warned last year of a suspected Russian-planned coup in her country.
Ukrainian intelligence does not fully confirm Moscow’s possible move, but is monitoring it closely. In addition, it is emphasized that it may be difficult for Putin to deploy additional troops to reinforce Russian forces stationed in Transnistria since the Soviet era.
Gennady Ciorba, an opposition politician, has warned of the Kremlin threat and compared the psychology of Russian leaders to that of Hitler in the 1930s. Ukrainian military experts believe that the current presence of Russian troops poses a serious threat to Moldova, a more combat-ready force than the Moldovan army.
It should be noted that Russians make up the largest population group in TransnistriaThat’s almost 30 percent, 29 percent are Moldovans or Romanians and 23 percent are Ukrainians. The current situation is causing concern and tension in the region and the international community is closely monitoring possible developments.
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