Before Crimea and the Donbass there was Ossetia. And before that, there was Transnistria. But it never goes out of fashion. That is why from time to time Russia wields it as a weapon against Europe.
I know. Two articles in a row with the same protagonist can be boring. But it’s not my fault if the Russian Deputy Prime Minister, with responsibility for politically incorrect affairs, as well as Putin’s special representative for the Transnistria, is so full of resources. Dmitry Rogozin knows which strings touch to unnerve his European partners. After making NATO’s hair curl with his statements on the Arctic, he has completely changed latitude. “Transnistria could become a fully independent state,” he said, breaking the calm on the de facto republic. He took advantage of the tumultuous political situation in Moldova, whom the territory of Transnistria de jure belongs, and the possible reunification of the former Soviet republic with Romania. One hypothesis is always in the air in Kishinau, but never really on the political agenda. Indeed, Rogozin has just said that “If Moldova, where most judges of the Constitutional Court are citizens of Romania, chooses the accession to Romania, Transnistria will undoubtedly reject it and become a fully independent state.” He said “undoubtedly”.
Cause and effect
The concatenation of cause and effect in the words of Rogozin hides, but not too much, Moscow’s blackmail to Moldova on its way to Europe. A hypothetical unification with Romania would lead to the immediate entry of Moldova into the European Union. A rapid shortcut on the long road to Brussels. The price would be renouncing to the independence of the state. But not only. Also renounce forever to Transnistria.
Rogozin has an innate ability to disturb the calm. Because, despite the fears raised by the outbreak of war in the Donbass, the region on the border with Ukraine has always registered a flat calm. It is true that Transnistria has never ceased to be a lever in the hands of Moscow to shake the fear of renewed conflict frozen. With a double meaning. Against Moldovan and Western governments, since it would create a new case of questioning of the postwar borders after the Crimea and the Donbass. And to the population, as bogeyman of a new war.
(Im)possible union
The process of independence of Transnistria seemed to have had a major acceleration just over a year ago, in the weeks when Russia annexed the Crimea and opened the crisis (and war) in Donbass.
With a quick constitutional reform, wanted by its President Evgeny Shevchuk, Transnistria has unilaterally implemented the entire body of legislation of the Russian Federation, becoming suddenly a hybrid similar to an autonomous, but not recognized, republic of the Russian Federation. The Supreme Soviet had then sent to Moscow a formal request for recognition of independence. However, it remained unanswered. A few months later, then some activists of the Organization for union with Russia had delivered to Rogozin, on a visit to Tiraspol, signatures of 30,000 Transnistrian citizens with the request, addressed to the Kremlin, to welcome the Transnistria into the Russian Federation. The big boxes with the signatures have become a little mistery, first lost during the flight to Moscow, then – according to a tweet Rogozin – found, finally apparently forgotten.
Perhaps the Kremlin, and Rogozin, do not think Transnistrian independence is so important.
@daniloeliatweet
Before Crimea and the Donbass there was Ossetia. And before that, there was Transnistria. But it never goes out of fashion. That is why from time to time Russia wields it as a weapon against Europe.
