Russia–Transnistria relations

Russia–Transnistria relations (Russian: Российско-приднестровские отношения) is the bilateral relationship between the Pridnestrovian Moldovan Republic and the Russian Federation. Russia does not officially recognize the independence of Transnistria. Nevertheless, Russia maintains special relations with Transnistria in the political, military, cultural and economic spheres.

History

The state of Transnistria was created by local economic elites with special relations to the Soviet and later Russian political centre.[1]

During the reign of Igor Smirnov (1991–2011) maintaining special relations with Russia was a priority of Transnistria.[2] At the end of his tenure however, Russia pushed for a change in government.[3]

During a visit to Kiev in 2010, President Dmitri Medvedev said he supported a "special status" for Transnistria and recognised the "important and stabilising" role of the Russian army.[4] In the early 2010s, experts estimated that Russia is aiming for a "Taiwanisation" of Transnistria.[5]

Consular Relations

In 2012, Russia opened a consulate in Transnistria, despite protests of the government of Moldova.[6] Nevertheless, Russia has not recognized Transnistria as an independent state.

In 2017, Transnistria opened a provisional bureau in Moscow.[7] Alexandru Caraman, former vice-president of Transnistria (1990–2001) and foreign minister of the Donetsk People's Republic (2014), led the bureau, which was shortly thereafter closed.[8] Two years later, an official diplomatic bureau of Transnistria was opened in Moscow.[9] Later that year, the Transnistrian government asked Russian authorities if they could issue passports and other documents in the diplomatic bureau.[10]

See also

References
  1. Jan Zofka: Postsowjetischer Separatismus: Die pro-russländischen Bewegungen im moldauischen Dnjestr-Tal und auf der Krim 1989–1995, Göttingen: Wallstein Verlag, 2015, passim.
  2. Marcin Kosienkowski: Continuity and Change in Transnistria’s Foreign Policy after the 2011 Presidential Elections, Lublin: The Catholic University of Lublin Publishing House, 2012, p. 23. Available here.
  3. Witold Rodkiewicz/Agata Wierzbowska-Miazga: Russia is pushing for a change of power in Transnistria, osw.waw.pl/en/ 9 November 2011.
  4. Anne-Marie Blajan: The Transnistrian conflict: Russia and Ukraine talk about "coordinated effort", American analysts consider the US has abandoned the neighbourhood to Russia, english.hotnews.ro 18 May 2010.
  5. Witold Rodkiewicz: Russia’s strategy towards Moldova: continuation or change?, osw.waw.pl/en/ 19 April 2012.
  6. Helena Rytövuori-Apunen: Power and Conflict in Russia’s Borderlands: The Post-Soviet Geopolitics of Dispute Resolution, London: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2019, p. 122. Google Books preview here.
  7. Cristi Vlas: Representation office of Transnistria was opened in Moscow, Russia, moldova.org 26. January 2017.
  8. Madalin Necsutu: Breakaway Moldova Region to Open ‘Embassy’ in Russia, balkaninsight.com 14. January 2019.
  9. Robert O’Connor: Transnistria Isn’t the Smuggler’s Paradise It Used to Be, foreignpolicy.com 5. June 2019.
  10. Madalin Necsutu: Transnistria Seeks Russia’s Blessing to Issue Passports in Moscow, balkaninsight.com 7. October 2019.
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