Analyst Sergey Gerasimchuk, who is the deputy chairman of the Board of the Foreign Policy Council of Ukraine, considers the initiative concerning the Moldovan-Ukrainian control on the common border segment is something normal as this is a matter of bilateral relations. On the other hand, there are relations between Chisinau and Tiraspol and these are an internal matter of the Republic of Moldova – when the capital speaks to its rebellious region. The analyst made such statements in an interview for Radio Free Europe, quoted by IPN.
Sergey Gerasimchuk said the Transnistrian segment of the border in Ukraine is considered problematic owing to the smuggling that has always existed one way or another. But now it is also problematic because there are Russian troops in Transnistria, while Ukraine is de facto at war with the Russian Federation.
“Yes, we can say that the peacekeepers have legal reasons to be there, but there are also military men who guard the ammunition depot in Colbasna as well as other paramilitary bodies. Furthermore, Russia can easily co-opt Transnistrians into its armed forces given that there are many people with Russian passports there. That’s why Ukraine is one way or another decided to step up control on the border,” stated the analyst.
As to Tiraspol’s rhetoric about the blockade or sanctions, Sergey Gerasimchuk said they spoke about blockade in 2006 as well. “But Tiraspol successfully survived the so-called blockade. On the other hand, this really brought benefits because the business entities there reoriented to the European markets. So, the enterprises didn’t die. On the contrary, they found new markets with higher standards. That’s why I think there will be a lot of noise around this subject now too, but in time Tiraspol will adjust to the new conditions,” he stated.
Ukraine decided that from May 20 this year the goods will be able to cross the Transnistrian segment on its border only with the consent of the National Food Safety Agency of Moldova.
