Moldovan breakaway region appeals to Russia as spat with pro-Western government worsens

No worries. We have all been told many times by people on here that Russia won’t invade anyone else after Ukraine. I trust these anonymous, strangely Russia-friendly posters.

Transnistria will join the Russian Federation. A vote - like that mentioned in the article - clearly reflects the will of the people obviously.

Since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, Moldova’s pro-Western leaders have routinely accused Moscow of conducting campaigns to try to destabilize the country, which was a Soviet republic until 1991.

That was the same playbook Russia used in 2014 in the Donbas, and we know what happened there.

Russia, on moral grounds, can't just sit by and watch while an ethnic minority faces discrimination and human rights abuses.

That's right, they need to get in on it, like they are trying with their attempted genocide of the Ukrainians.

Thuban

Officials in Moldova’s Russia-backed breakaway region of Transnistria appealed to Moscow for protection Wednesday

In international law, there is something called "a duty to protect"

Russia, on moral grounds, can't just sit by and watch while an ethnic minority faces discrimination and human rights abuses.

True. Luckily, an ethnic minority doesn't face discrimination and human rights abuses.

JJE

Transnistria will join the Russian Federation. A vote - like that mentioned in the article - clearly reflects the will of the people obviously.

This is just more meddling by Russia:

In a 2006 referendum in Transnistria, more than 95% of voters backed the option of joining Russia, but the ballot wasn’t internationally recognized. The U.S. State Department at the time called it a “provocative referendum” that “cannot be taken seriously.”

JJE - so can any random region in Russia just vote to break away from the RF it is that only for other countries that Russia is trying to meddle in?

or is that*

s Russia-backed breakaway region

Is Putin following the same path he took in Ukraine? Instead of the Wagner Group, this time which other little green men will Putin have provide arms to some angry residents and issue attack signals, then blame the 'west' for starting hostilities?

Leave sovereign states alone, let them sort out their own problems.

JJE and Thuban - what if there are Russians living in Miami or Brooklyn that wanted to join the Russian Federation because they say they are being mistreated. Or Sri Lanka. Then what? Right to Protect? Do you see how such as system could be exploited to favor the strong over the weak?

Don't mistreat ethnic minorities and you won't have any problems.

Yes, this is why Russia is in such deep problems, for mistreating the Ukrainians. They've pushed all their citizens into poverty.

The Russian citizens living in the disputed area, could shift back to actual Russian territory, after all the Russian Federation is huge and has lots of room for them. The US has a large number of Canadian citizens residing in US states, However, I can't imagine the Canadian government threatening to attack the US for any reason. But then Canada is not a warmongering state like Russia. How many more Russians and members of formerr SSRs is Putin willing to have killed and made houseless in his territorial expansion quests. Will Putin have to pull his rebranded thug armies out of Africa and elsewhere if he starts another war. https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/12/russias-wagner-group-expands-into-africas-sahel-with-a-new-brand.html

Don't mistreat ethnic minorities and you won't have any problems.

Agreed. What should the rest of the world do if we determine that Russia is mistreating ethnic minorities?

83 is probably a pretty close number in about 6 different classifications. So what?

Don’t avoid my question though.

@Thuban 7.12am

A la Chechnya?

And of course we aren’t counting the ones that are on Ukrainian territory because they aren’t internationally recognized.

The lands in question are traditionally and historically lands of Russia throughout the ages.

The people of Transnistria undoubtedly identify as such.

The lands in question are traditionally and historically lands of Russia throughout the ages.

Did they ever belong to anyone else? Or do you only care about Russian claims?

Thuban

Don't mistreat ethnic minorities and you won't have any problems.

This doesn't hold true, because there is no mistreatment of Russians in Moldova.

This is Putin's playbook. He used it in Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova. Since the start of the Ukraine invasion in 2022, Moldova has had many undercover Russian agitators. Presumably to form a land bridge in Ukraine to Moldova.

JJE - would you be ok with some of the eastern regions of the current RF voting to leave the Federation? Is that even allowed?

JJE

The lands in question are traditionally and historically lands of Russia throughout the ages.

Which is irrelevant.

Transnistria actually has what is probably the largest arms depot in Eastern Europe - the Cobasna ammunition depot (47.760947, 29.203429). It gets a mention in the article though not by name. Most likely the largest in all of Europe. It's huge. Easily visible from satellite.

This means the people of Transnistria can be armed to defend themselves, should it come to that.

And that’s a different issue than Right to Protect, is it not? Like why should it matter who owned the land at some point in the past or what language someone speaks if they need protecting, right? Are we gonna do a 23 and Me on a village to determine if we should protect them?

Why does it seem like Russians are so hung up on race and ethnicity?

Moscow will view the obvious solution as to seize Odessa and extend the land bridge right down to Transnistria. The former was founded by Catherine the Great and is a Russian speaking city. Partisan activity has been on the uptick there recently. Portions or the entirety of Mykolaiv province will be required too.

JJE - if Russia doesn’t care about others when making their plans for world domination, then why should the rest of us care about Russia?

Looks like a complete mirror image of that happening again.

Actually, it looks like a complete mirror of same lies used to justify the Russian invasion of Ukraine. There was no genocide or ethnic cleansing happening in eastern Ukraine, they made it up. And I bet they're doing the same thing in Moldova.

No one believes this nonsense.

JJE

Moscow will view the obvious solution as to seize Odessa and extend the land bridge right down to Transnistria.

Obviously, this was the original plan. Which is why Putin has Russian agitators in Moldova. Luckily, his forces are incapable of taking Odesa.

The former was founded by Catherine the Great and is a Russian speaking city.

Historically interesting, but irrelevant.

Partisan activity has been on the uptick there recently.

Yes. Putin has installed his agents.

@JJE: A vote - like that mentioned in the article - clearly reflects the will of the people obviously.

Interesting how pro-authoritarians count 'imaginary' votes favoring the authoritarian. Just perhaps Putin - after the 'vote' - called someone he thought he could manipulate and asked him to find, 11,00 or so more votes for his side., despots and despot-wannabes use similar playbooks after, all.

This article is about the hopes and aspirations of the people of Transnistria.

People forget in 1990 there was a brief civil war, that fortunately didn't spiral out of control and is why Russian peacekeepers are stationed there now - they have kept the peace for some three decades.

Moldova would be very foolish to replicate the path next door. Chisnau needs to respect the lingual, cultural, property and basic human rights of the Transnistrian minority.

JJE

Chisnau needs to respect the lingual, cultural, property and basic human rights of the Transnistrian minority.

Don't believe the Russian propaganda. The lingual, cultural, property and basic human rights of the Transnistrian minority are fine.

JJE - what are some specific examples of Moldova mistreating people?

And I hope you guys understand that we are not falling for this again :)

The most immediate grievance is the economic blockade Chisinau has been imposing on Transnistria. The article doesn't mention it, but this is mentioned in the plea to Moscow.

In early 2024, the Moldovan authorities imposed a customs duty on exported goods to Transnistria. See, they claim it is part of Moldova but put duties on goods. They seem to want it both ways.

If Transnistria is part of Moldova, there is no need for this. It is the authorities in Chisinau that are doing this and not vice versa.

Former USSR satellite states have large Russian speaking communities. Moldovia, Estonia, etc. Miniature versions of Ukraine. Internal problems become global in nature if people mistreated by Govt. policies and actions.

Things get nasty when they seek their independence for CAUSE (human, property & citizenship rights violations) and receive legal assistance from Russia. Ukraine's 10year civil war proof of that!

Another good case study, Yugoslavia, and US assistance in order to partition the country, in order to secure people's rights and safety.

Straight out of the fascist Russia - and Nazi pre WW2 - handbook.

Claim a sizable part of another nation "needs protection". Promise that no military action will take place. Invade said nation under the guise of "protecting it".

The world sees this for what it is : fascist Russian expansionism. With up to 40% of Russia's expenses now devoted to the military - and needing to recruit foreign troops from as far away as Nepal - another military invasion will cost them massively in terms of lives and resources.

Fascist Russia truly is the successor to Nazi Germany.

No worries. We have all been told many times by people on here that Russia won’t invade anyone else after Ukraine. I trust these anonymous, strangely Russia-friendly posters.

Me too ;)

HopeSpringsEternal

Former USSR satellite states have large Russian speaking communities. Moldovia, Estonia, etc. Miniature versions of Ukraine. Internal problems become global in nature if people mistreated by Govt. policies and actions.

People aren't being mistreated by government policies.

Things get nasty when they seek their independence for CAUSE (human, property & citizenship rights violations) and receive legal assistance from Russia. Ukraine's 10year civil war proof of that!

It is not proof of that, because there are no human, property & citizenship rights violations.

""Moldova is working to align its economic legislation with the EU as it pursues full membership in the 27-nation bloc. But the new customs duties leveled on Transnistria have angered officials there, who say the measures harm local residents and businesses.""

Yup, 220,000 people who have chosen to be independent are being squeezed from all directions. and then everyone B. about them asking for help.

This is just more meddling by Russia: In a 2006 referendum in Transnistria, more than 95% of voters backed the option of joining Russia, but the ballot wasn’t internationally recognized. The U.S. State Department at the time called it a “provocative referendum” that “cannot be taken seriously.”

Yep, the will of the actual people living there doesn' t matter because U.S. State Department declares that their opinion is " provocative and cannot be taken seriously". Thanks for clarifying US State Dept gets to decide what people on the other side of the planet must think, lol. Unless it suits US interests of course, such as in Kosovo. Same ole hypocricy.

JJE

The most immediate grievance is the economic blockade Chisinau has been imposing on Transnistria. The article doesn't mention it, but this is mentioned in the plea to Moscow.

In early 2024, the Moldovan authorities imposed a customs duty on exported goods to Transnistria. See, they claim it is part of Moldova but put duties on goods. They seem to want it both ways.

If Transnistria is part of Moldova, there is no need for this. It is the authorities in Chisinau that are doing this and not vice versa.

If Moldova joins the EU and Transnistria wants to be independent, then it makes sense that there will be customs duties.

And this is mentioned in the article:

Moldova, a candidate to join the European Union, imposed new customs duties on Jan. 1, 2024 on imports to and exports from Transnistria, which borders Ukraine and isn't recognized by any U.N. member countries, including Russia, which maintains close ties to the region.

EU has formally condemned Zelensky Admin numerous times in pubic for their anti-democratic treatment of Russian speaking Ukrainians, starting in 2014. Ukraine's 10year Civil War just didn't happen on its own.

like they are trying with their attempted genocide of the Ukrainians.

You obviously don’t know the meaning of the word.

Yes, that would be fine if they were granted independence, but Chisinau maintains that it won't allow that. Thus, the economic blockade and the customs duties don't make any sense. They are a provocation and violate their rights.

HopeSpringsEternal

Ukraine's 10year Civil War just didn't happen on its own.

True. Russia sent in agitators and troops.

HopeSpringsEternal

EU has formally condemned Zelensky Admin numerous times in pubic for their anti-democratic treatment of Russian speaking Ukrainians, starting in 2014.

That's very interesting. Because in 2014, Ukraine was not part of the EU and Zelensky was a comedian.

EU has formally condemned Zelensky Admin numerous times in pubic for their anti-democratic treatment of Russian speaking Ukrainians, starting in 2014.

Complete and utter nonsense. The ICJ rejected Russian claims of mistreatment of ethnic Russians in eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine's 10year Civil War just didn't happen on its own.

We know. The Russian government went to great lengths to fan the flames to justify their imperialist land grab.

JJE

Yes, that would be fine if they were granted independence, but Chisinau maintains that it won't allow that.

Of course not.

Thus, the economic blockade and the customs duties don't make any sense.

It makes the upmost sense when Moldova becomes part of the EU.

They are a provocation and violate their rights.

Customs duties are hardly a provocation and violation of rights.

Transnistria may be Putin's ace-in-the-hole and in his pocket already from where he can kick in Ukraine's back door to seize Odesa and link up with the swath of land in Ukraine's south the Russians used to call "New Russia" in the 18th century. This vision of "Vlad the Terrible" may yet become NATO's nightmare.

Those "Transnistrians" don't understand what they're getting themselves into

They, too, have not learned from history!

Do they really want to get back under the boot of the dictator residing in the Kremlin?

Back to the past?

JJE

This article is about the hopes and aspirations of the people of Transnistria.

Under the hammer and sickle? Thanks for the laugh!

 Luckily, an ethnic minority doesn't face discrimination and human rights abuses.

It seems people who actually live there say they do face "violations of their rights and freedoms" ad appealed to both UN and the European Parliament to help prevent those violotions. Since you obviously don't live there, I'll take their word over yours ;)

officials in Tiraspol also appealed to the European Parliament to prevent what it described as pressure from Moldova from "violating the rights and freedoms” of local residents. They made similar appeals to the U.N. secretary-general, the European Parliament and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

One must remember that these small countries are caught in Great Powers conflict between Russia and US. Going after Russians in Moldovia or other former USSR satellites like Estonia, just smaller scale than Ukraine.

For these countries, the question should be, do we wish to partake in such geopolitical great game matters as puppets, making our lives destabilized and unlivable?

Serious mature democracies do not behave this way towards their 'select' targeted citizenry, while allowing US Globalist outsiders with their agenda destabilize them.

More and more in Ukraine, Estonia, Moldova, etc., want neutrality and good relations with all their neighbors, as that's the surest path to Peace and Prosperity.

Ramsey's Kitchen

officials in Tiraspol also appealed to the European Parliament to prevent what it described as pressure from Moldova from "violating the rights and freedoms” of local residents. They made similar appeals to the U.N. secretary-general, the European Parliament and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

And what was the response from the European Parliament or Red Cross? As I said, customs duties are hardly a provocation and violation of rights.

Any other nations that have an ethnic minority of russians should look at expelling their citizens for fear of russian meddling in their statehood.

Never so simple in real life, rather its Globalist special interest Oligarchy "democracy" destabilization causing most of the world's problems in recent decades. Ask the global south about US money printing and its inflation.

BRICS and de-dollarization =no accident

As I said, customs duties are hardly a provocation and violation of rights.

As the article clearly says the customs duties are just the latest thing that came into place on January 1 ( less than 2 months ago ). The locals grievances go back decades as the article also clearly states :

“Moldova’s policy and goals regarding Transnistria have remained unchanged over the past decades: to destroy our economic potential, create unbearable living conditions for our citizens...

You're welcome.

2020hindsightsToday  09:40 am JST

HopeSpringsEternal

EU has formally condemned Zelensky Admin numerous times in pubic for their anti-democratic treatment of Russian speaking Ukrainians, starting in 2014.

That's very interesting. Because in 2014, Ukraine was not part of the EU and Zelensky was a comedian.

EU comments on many things globally, they're not bound by borders, especially in their backyard and Zelensky did come to power in 2014, so are we quibbling about the month in 2014? Ukraine's still not an EU member but it matters not, their anti-democratic behavior's does.

Ramsey's Kitchen

“Moldova’s policy and goals regarding Transnistria have remained unchanged over the past decades: to destroy our economic potential, create unbearable living conditions for our citizens...

For example?

HopeSpringsEternal

Zelensky did come to power in 2014

No he didn't. Zelensky came to power in 2019.