The steps taken by the Transnistrian region reflect the positions of the Kremlin. After discussions between the administrations of Tiraspol and Moscow, the Transnistrians became more reserved in the negotiation process. Such opinions were stated by Ukrainian and Moldovan experts in a Kiev-Chisinau duplex on March 23. The event was broadcast by Radio Moldova, IPN reports.

Vitali Kulik, Ukrainian expert on European security problems, said that now, when Ukraine holds the presidency of the OSCE, hysteria with anti-Ukrainian undertone appeared in the Transnistrian media. He stressed that the main goal of the negotiations is to create good living conditions for the people and to ensure the observance of the human rights in Transnistria.

The fact that Ukraine holds the presidency of the OSCE is not a panacea, said Dmitri Levusi, politologist of the Center “Ukrainian Meridian”. According to him, everybody realizes that this conflict will not be settled now.

Oazu Nantoi, program director at the Public Policy Institute, said that the Transnistrian leader Yevgeny Shevchuk is not a president, but a Russian marionette. “We cannot speak about the solving of the economic problems and other things until there is no argument in favor of the existence of this pseudo-state from which the people run away. Measures should be taken so that the people do not feel as hostages in Transnistria,” he stated.

Radu Vrabie, expert of the Foreign Policy Association, agreed that the actions taken by Tiraspol directly reflect Russia’s position. He stressed that the Ukrainian OSCE presidency is expected to take more steps that would contribute to the resolving of the dispute. Radu Vrabie believes that Ukraine has possibilities and mechanisms for taking such steps.