Can Ukraine Resolve Transnistria Issue by Military Means?

Thursday, 29 December 2022

Ukraine has finally realised that the existence of Transnistria in its current status is a threat to national security. But even some authorities have come up with such suggestions to resolve this issue that could harm Ukraine.

The most common mistake of Ukrainians in perceiving the situation in Moldova is the expectation that the Transnistrian problem will be solved by military means. A short and victorious war will eliminate the Operational Group of Russian Forces on the left bank.

Unfortunately or fortunately, this will not happen.

And it is not about the "invincibility" of the Russian Armed Forces and its satellites from the so-called "Army of Transnistria."

On the contrary, Russian forces in the region are not a real military threat.

Moldova shows consensus both in society and among politicians regarding the inadmissibility of using force (certainly not waging war!) against Transnistria. Under any conditions, at any cost, the use of force should be avoided, and instead, negotiations should be the only path. All Moldovan governments based on it its Transistria strategy for decades - both pro-Russian and pro-Western.

There are no circumstances under which Chisinau would consent to welcome the Armed Forces of Ukraine on its territory.

Transnistria, controlled by the Russians, is the territory of Moldova. This is what international law says, which for Ukraine is the basis for resisting the aggression of the Russian Federation.

Therefore, for the entire civilised world, a preemptive strike by the Armed Forces of Ukraine against the Russians in Transnistria without the consent of Moldova will have only one description: Ukrainian aggression against a neighbouring state. With all the consequences. Therefore, it makes no sense even to consider this option. Kyiv's understanding of this is finally growing.

However, one option makes this logic fail: if the Russians attack Ukraine from the Transnistrian territory of Moldova.

This option is very unlikely because the occupying civil and military leadership in Transnistria is aware of these consequences.

But then, how to resolve the issue of Transnistria? Ukraine feels that Transnistria is a threat to its national security, not only military security.

The very existence of Transnistria limits Ukraine's logistics.

The existence of Transnistria limits the European future of Ukraine and Moldova. Even with a positive development, it is politically difficult to imagine a decision on the full EU membership of the two states with the Russian occupation army and administration between them.

Paradoxically, Chisinau is much less interested in sorting out the Transnistrian issue.

As a result, Moldovan politicians tend to avoid this issue. Whatever you do, some of your voters will definitely get angry.

A national consensus has been formed in Moldova with the option "do not touch anything."

During the negotiations on the security arrangement in the region, which will certainly occur after the military defeat of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, Ukraine should demand agreements, including the withdrawal of the Russian military from Transnistria.

Demilitarisation is even possible by replacing the PMR "army" with a UN or EU peacekeeping mission. But even if only Russian officers leave, and local servicemen remain as "military PMR" - this may be a good start to reintegration.

The main thing is to break the chain of their official subordination to Moscow.

Even when the Russian army leaves Transnistria, the question of restoring the integrity of Moldova will remain. Because an unrecognised enclave with hybrid Russian influence, filled with Russian propaganda and agents in the local army, will carry exactly the same danger for Ukraine.

Currently, the Tiraspol regime does not rely on military force, only on the economy, which is Russian gas. Gas cut-off, or at least its threat, is necessary for Moldova's reintegration.

This will push the leadership of the so-called "PMR" (Krasnoselsky, Gușan, etc.) to agree with Chisinau on new rules of coexistence. Kyiv's informal levers, linked by the assets of Krasnoselsky, Gușan, etc., can make them even more cooperative.

The current "president of the republic," Vadym Krasnoselsky, became a citizen of Ukraine, working in top positions in the militia of Transnistria. In addition, the "president" of Transnistria owns real estate in Odesa.

The most influential person in the region, the co-founder of the "Sheriff" company Viktor Gușan also owns real estate in Odesa.

Of course, it is important not to collapse the economy of Moldova. Currently, the country purchases more and more gas and electricity from the EU.

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