Will Transnistria ask Putin to join Russia? Reaction of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine and Chisinau
22 February 2024 22:49
Separatists from the unrecognised Transnistria, whose territory is a sovereign part of Moldova, announced that they are preparing an appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The GUR did not confirm this information, and Moldova stated that it had no reason to believe that “the situation in the region could deteriorate,” according to the 
on 28 February, Transnistria is planning to hold a congress of deputies of all levels for the first time in 18 years, and it is there that they may allegedly address the Russian dictator about the annexation of the region.
Following the results of the so-called referendum in 2006, the Transnistrian “central election commission” announced that more than 97% of Transnistrians supported the future accession of Transnistria to Russia. They also voted in favour of maintaining “independence” until the accession to Russia took place. Local deputies still appeal to these “results”.
What is known about the congress of deputies in Transnistria
Earlier, the leader of unrecognised Transnistria, Vadim Krasnoselsky, initiated the convening of a congress of deputies of all levels in Tiraspol due to “pressure from the Republic of Moldova, which violates the rights and worsens the socio-economic situation of Transnistrians”.
Transnistrian oppositionist Gennadiy Chorba believes that at this meeting, on Moscow’s orders, they will voice “a request on behalf of citizens living on the left bank of the Dniester” to accept Transnistria into the Russian Federation.
According to him, such an event as a “congress of deputies” is convened to make important decisions. In particular, he says, the second such congress declared “the independence of Transnistria”.
Despite the fact that the purpose of the congress is not announced, Chorba suggested that “on behalf of the citizens of Transnistria” they will ask to “annex” the region to Russia.
He believes that the rally in Tiraspol and the recent protest against the so-called economic pressure from the Republic of Moldova are intended to show that Transnistrian residents are against Chisinau.
The politician also points out that the next day, 29 February, the Russian president is scheduled to address the Federal Assembly. In it, Putin is supposed to announce the request of “Transnistrians to join Russia”, and the Federal Assembly will decide to grant it.
Moldova’s reaction
The Bureau of Reintegration Policy stated that it is closely monitoring the situation in Transnistria, Deschide.MD writes. In particular, they noted that Chisinau has no reason to believe that the situation in the region could deteriorate.
“We are convinced that Tiraspol is aware of the consequences it will suffer in case of rash steps,” the publication quoted a Moldovan statement as saying,
– the newspaper quotes a statement from the Moldovan Bureau of Reintegration Policy.
The Moldovan Bureau of Reintegration stressed that they are in constant contact with the OSCE Mission and other international partners amid reports from Transnistria.
GUR’s response
According to the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, the deputies of the unrecognised Transnistria do not plan to address Russian President Vladimir Putin at the congress on the acceptance of the TMR into Russia. This was stated by the spokesperson for the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, Andriy Yusov, in a commentary to Ukrainska Pravda.
“According to our data, the information that on 28 February the ‘authorities’ of Transnistria will allegedly ask Russia to join them is not confirmed,”
– the intelligence officer said.
At the same time, according to the source, the information that is currently being widely discussed in the media is part of Moldova’s internal political process, as well as a certain pressure from unrecognised Transnistria to protect its economic interests.
