Sticky Transdniester

The Russian Defense Minister said Russian troops will remain in the breakaway Transdniester region.

Speaking at a meeting of defense ministers from the post-Soviet Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, Ivanov accused the United States and NATO of double standards.

He said that the United States and NATO demand that Russia pull out its 1,800 troops in Transdniester, but insist that, in his words, the planned deployment of up to 3,000 U.S. troops at several bases in Bulgaria is "not a significant military presence."

The reference to US troops in Bulgaria indicates Russian nervousness with perceived Western efforts to push Russia out of the Transdniester region. The removal of Russian troops has long been discussed, but if Russia feels the US and Europe are ganging up on Russia, Russia may react negatively.

Regnum reports that NATO troops may even be deployed in Moldova, which would only add to the pressure on Russia, as it might seem like the door is being opened for a larger presence.

New European-standard barracks for 160 soldiers have been opened in the Lunga-Marculesti air unit, the press service of the Moldavian Defense Ministry informed REGNUM on May 30. Attending the opening ceremony was Moldavian Defense Minister Valeriu Plesca.

Moldavian political expert Yevgeny Solar says that this event is part of the Moldova-NATO individual partnership action plan approved on May 22. “I would also like to remind you that on May 18 the Moldavian Parliament adopted a law exempting NATO troops and hardware from registration and visa procedures. They in the Moldavian Defense Ministry have pointed out that this law has nothing to do with Russian troops.

Talks were scheduled today with Transdniester , but the separatist leader didn't seem willing.

The head of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) today called on Transdniester to resume talks with Moldova in a bid to settle a 16-year-old separatist dispute.

Karel De Gucht said after talks in Tiraspol with separatist leaders that Transdniester should return to negotiations mediated by the international community without imposing preconditions.

De Gucht, who also called on Transdniester to respect human rights, said it would be "illogical" to set terms for talks held under the auspices of Russia, Ukraine, the OSCE, as well as the European Union and the United States.

Separatist leader Igor Smirnov later told the media that Transdniester would only return to the negotiating table if new customs regulations imposed earlier this year by Moldova, Ukraine, and the European Union are abolished.

Previous posts

The Transdniester region
Russian meddling
New customs rules in the Transdniester region
Could Russian troops leave the Transdniester region?