The Ambassador of Russia in Chisinau Valery Kuzmin considers the Moldovan Transnistrian Republic must be treated as a partner with the same rights as Moldova at the Transnistrian conflict settlement talks. “The two sides are equal and this should be clear,” the Ambassador said in a press briefing on June 9, Info-Prim Neo reports. “They are equal partners because the negotiations cannot take place between a commander and an inferior. This is our position,” he stressed. “If you want to live in a united country there should be peace.” Asked about the relations between Russia and Transnistria, the ambassador said they are inter-regional and will be developed. “The Russian-Transnistrian relations are governed by a political agreement that was signed about 10 years ago. The region is home to Russian citizens as well,” he said. Valery Kuzmin also said that the humanitarian aid given by Russia to the Transnistrian region during the last three years totaled US$27-29 million a year.