Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine
Moldovan President Maia Sandu said the issue of the breakaway Transnistria region could be included in future discussions on ending Russia’s war against Ukraine, including the possible withdrawal of Russian troops.
Speaking to Pro TV Chișinău, Sandu stressed that Transnistria is internationally recognized as part of Moldova and said the illegal presence of Russian forces remains the region’s biggest problem.
“The Transnistrian region is part of the Republic of Moldova. Of course, we discuss Transnistria. The biggest issue is the illegal presence of Russian troops. We continue to raise this topic with our European partners, and we hope we can resolve it together,” Sandu said.
She added that Transnistria is part of all discussions related to Moldova’s European future.
Sandu also addressed Moldova’s and Ukraine’s EU accession process, saying both countries should be assessed individually based on their own reforms and commitments.
“We have received repeated assurances that the accession process is merit-based. As long as no additional conditions are imposed, we should continue moving forward. One country should not be judged based on reforms carried out by another,” she said.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree simplifying the process for residents of the self-proclaimed Transnistrian region to obtain Russian citizenship.
Following that decision, Sandu warned that Moscow could be preparing people in Transnistria for military mobilization and accused Russia of using the region to pressure Moldova over its efforts to reintegrate the territory.
