Russia’s envoy in Moldova warns of scenarios to “protect” Transnistria, MFA responds

Russia’s ambassador said Moscow is considering “all options and all scenarios, including unlikely ones” regarding possible escalation in Transnistria. He added that “even if these scenarios seem unlikely today, tomorrow could be a different story,” while placing potential negative consequences on Moldova’s authorities.

Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi said the ambassador’s remarks are “part of Russia’s hybrid war mechanism against Moldova.” He stressed that the rights of Russian speakers are not violated in Moldova, “unlike in Russia” with regard to Moldovan citizens.

“We advise Mr. Ozerov to focus on diplomatic work, because it is not Moldovan drones that violate Russian airspace, but Russian ones. It is not Moldovan troops on Russian territory, but Russian troops that have been illegally stationed in Moldova for more than 30 years. And the sovereignty and neutrality of our country are undermined by only one state in the world — the Russian Federation,” Popsoi said.

On April 17, Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, said Russia has not abandoned its plans regarding Transnistria, but is relying on a “war of fears” rather than direct military escalation.

On April 8, Pavlo Palisa, deputy head of Ukraine’s presidential office, told RBC-Ukraine that Russian occupation forces plan to create a buffer zone in Ukraine’s Vinnytsia Oblast from the direction of Transnistria.

“This is the first time we have seen plans of this kind. Frankly, there is no need to panic, as I do not yet see the forces needed to implement these intentions,” Palisa said.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, for his part, said he does not see a threat of a buffer zone being created in Vinnytsia Oblast.