Chișinău authorities seek peaceful solution to Transnistrian conflict

The authorities of the Republic of Moldova are fully committed to identifying a peaceful solution for the Transnistrian region, but the greatest obstacle to resolving the conflict remains the illegal presence of Russian troops on the country’s territory. President Maia Sandu made the statement in an interview with the Hungarian press, in which she discussed the prospects for European integration, the country’s reintegration, and the threats posed by Russian interference.

The head of state said that the authorities are taking measures to economically reintegrate the Transnistrian region and are consulting with the European Union and its member states to identify a peaceful solution.


„We are fully committed to identifying a peaceful solution, but the biggest obstacle remains the illegal presence of Russian troops. We must resolve this issue in order to begin the political settlement process. We are working in this direction, consulting with the European Union and cooperating with its member states,” Maia Sandu said.


The president noted that the situation in the Transnistrian region changed after the beginning of the war in Ukraine, particularly because of the worsening economic situation and the reduction in support provided by Russia. Under these circumstances, an increasing number of residents of the region are coming to the right bank of the Dniester to work and obtain citizenship of the Republic of Moldova.


„More and more people are coming to the rest of the Republic of Moldova to work and obtain Moldovan citizenship because they believe it is safer to be citizens of the Republic of Moldova than of Russia or the so-called Transnistrian region,” the head of state said.


Regarding the possibility of the Republic of Moldova joining the European Union without first resolving the Transnistrian conflict and the situation in Găgăuzia, Maia Sandu emphasized that the two regions have different characteristics. In her view, Găgăuzia cannot determine the entire country’s decision on European integration.

The president explained that the lower level of support for European integration in the autonomous region is influenced by Russian propaganda. The authorities are making efforts to help residents preserve their language, culture, and identity, while young people and businesspeople increasingly understand the benefits of the Republic of Moldova’s membership in the European Union.

In the interview, Maia Sandu also spoke about the deterioration of relations with the Russian Federation, which she described as an inevitable development after the outbreak of the war against Ukraine. She recalled that less than a month after the visit to Chișinău in August 2021 by Dmitry Kozak, then deputy chief of staff of the Russian presidential administration, the Republic of Moldova faced a new episode of energy blackmail from Moscow.

The head of state said that the Republic of Moldova cannot support Russian aggression and must stand with Ukraine and the rules-based international order. At the same time, she drew attention to the hybrid war waged by Russia against her country, saying that it aims to undermine the country’s sovereignty and take control of the Republic of Moldova.


„Russia does not respect the sovereignty of the Republic of Moldova because it wants to control our country and use it against Ukraine,” Maia Sandu said.


The president emphasized that the Republic of Moldova shares an approximately 1,200-kilometer border with Ukraine, and that the installation of a Russian-controlled government in Chișinău could have created additional security risks for the neighboring state. In this context, maintaining sovereignty and preventing Russian interference in the country’s internal processes contribute, according to the head of state, to the stability of the entire region.

President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu emphasized that support for Ukraine is essential not only for defending that country’s sovereignty but also for maintaining peace and security in the region. The head of state said that if Russian aggression is not stopped, the threat will also spread to other countries, including the Republic of Moldova.