The Russian Federation, helped by the Transnistrian regime, could hamper the setting up of joint customs posts on the Moldovan-Ukrainian border, said experts invited to the program “Emphasis on today” produced by TVR Moldova channel, IPN reports.

Ion Leahu, Chisinau’s ex-representative to the Joint Control Commission, said that Russia will not give up so easily. “Russia has great and long-lasting plans in Moldova. I’m afraid it could do something. There is practically no day when the Transnistrian mass media would not broadcast news about military drill. Chisinau could say at a certain moment that time hasn’t yet come and we should wait,” he stated.

Political analyst Oazu Nantoi expressed his concerns about the success of the Moldovan-Ukrainian checkpoints. “We are weak and corrupt. An American journalist contacted me and told me that he is conducting an investigation about Vladimir Putin’s interests in smuggling in the Transnistrian region. Such interests are pursued in Chisinau as well. I don’t think they will give up these interests so easily,” he said.

Ion Manole, chairman of the Association “Promo-LEX”, said his information is that the Transnistrian authorities resorted to strict monitoring of men able to fight. “Each man who turned 18 is monitored, including when this leaves the area and returns. This could mean possible mobilization,” he stated.