Foreign Ministry condemns Russia’s organization of State Duma elections in Transnistrian region without consent of Chișinău’s constitutional authorities

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemns the organization by the Russian Federation on 18–20 September 2026 of State Duma elections in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova, without the consent of Chișinău’s constitutional authorities.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the organization of an electoral process by the Russian Federation on the sovereign territory of the Republic of Moldova, outside the control of the constitutional authorities and without their approval, constitutes a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova and contravenes the principles of international law.

The Ministry notes that the Russian Federation has been repeatedly informed that polling stations cannot be opened in the Transnistrian region without the consent of the constitutional authorities of the Republic of Moldova.

At the same time, the Russian side was informed that Russian citizens residing in the Republic of Moldova may exercise their right to vote at polling stations established in the territory controlled by the constitutional authorities, in accordance with the relevant procedures.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates that the organization of electoral processes by another state in the Transnistrian region produces no legal effects and cannot in any way affect its international legal status as an integral part of the Republic of Moldova.

In this context, the Republic of Moldova reserves the right to take the necessary diplomatic measures and will continue to cooperate with international partners to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

At the same time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that the authorities in Chișinău will continue to act to defend the international legal order and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

On 18–20 September 2026, parliamentary elections for the State Duma, the lower house of the Federal Assembly, were held in Russia.