The expulsion of the Russian military men who wanted to reach Transnistrian through the Chisinau International Airport could worsen even more the relations between Moldova and Russia. Such an opinion was stated in the talk show “Fabrika” on Publika TV channel, IPN reports.

Nicolae Afanas, department head at the Institute of International Relations of Moldova, noted that the Russian military men have to fly to their posts in Transnistria after Ukraine blocked their pass on land. “The good side is that Moldova will be able to monitor exactly the number of servicemen who arrive in Transnistrian. On the other hand, it’s clear that their expulsion will affect the Moldovan-Russian relations. I heard that Chisinau agreed with Moscow to allow Russian military men to go through the Chisinau Airport if the ban on export is lifted. Russia has to coordinate the entry of these servicemen with the Moldovan authorities, but the procedures are probably not always respected. I think that in such conditions the expulsion of the three Russian military men was a healthy reaction on the part of a state” he said.

Politologist Nicolae Tsveatkov considers the Moldovan authorities made a mistake. “There is an agreement between the official Moscow and Chisinau to allow the Russian military men to pass through Chisinau on their way to Transnistria to substitute their colleagues from the peacekeeping forces. The expulsion will affect the relations between the two states,” he said.

Journalist Ion Terguta said the Moldovan authorities acted correctly. “The Russian troops stay on Moldova’s territory illegally. So, the arrival of the three military men was also illegal and their expulsion is justified,” he stated.

On September 29, three Russian military men who were heading for Transnistria were detained at the Chisinau International Airport and expelled because their visit wasn’t coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova.