It is unlikely that Russia will attempt to annex Transnistria under current circumstances because the region would become an isolated enclave that Russia could not protect militarily; however, in the event that other parts of southern Ukraine opt to join Russia, the annexation could become more feasible, said Ivan Katchanovski, who teaches political science at the University of Ottawa, for the Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail, quoted IPN.
In an article titled “Amid its own trouble with separatists, Moldova eyes Russia warily”, The Globe and Mail writes: “as Russia completes legal steps to annex Crimea, there is growing concern that a land-hungry Kremlin could look beyond Ukraine in a bid to intervene in other former Soviet states”.
The article cites the recent request by the Tiraspol government for Russia to consider Transnistria's annexation. “there are signs the separatist government in Trans-Dniester sees Russia’s annexation of Crimea as an opportunity to push for a similar move of its own. The speaker of the Trans-Dniester parliament reportedly asked Moscow to annex its territory as well, sparking a swift response from Moldovan President Nicolae Timofti, who said it would be a 'mistake' for Russia to agree to the request”.
In a recent interview with The Globe and Mail, Moldova’s parliamentary speaker, Igor Corman, said Moldova doesn’t want to cut links to Russia entirely, but added, “We are sure the European model is the best one.” Mr. Corman said he understands Moscow’s desire to maintain close ties with former Soviet states. “There’s a competitiveness for two models of integration. We understand it. But again, our Russian partners should also understand that every country has the right to choose what is the best for their country.”
The article recalls that last autumn Russia banned wine imports from Moldova, “in a move widely regarded as retaliation for the country’s focus on aligning more closely with Europe. The EU responded swiftly by liberalizing European access to the country’s wines, sending a signal that it would stand by Moldova amid increased pressure from Russia”.
The Globe and Mail quotes Jeff Sahadeo, director of Carleton University’s Institute of European, Russian and Eurasian Studies, who said that Moldova has forged ahead on EU integration in recent years, “and the Russians really have had a hard time in trying to combat it.”
