The regional security problems created by the crisis in Ukraine must bring solutions to the Transnistrian dispute that has lasted for over 20 years. In this situation, Moldova should cooperate with other states in order to find a solution following the Ukrainian crisis, executive director of the Association for Participatory Democracy ADEPT Igor Botan said in the debate “Moldovan-Ukrainian relations in new geopolitical and regional security conditions”, staged by IPN News Agency in partnership with Radio Moldova.

Igor Botan said that every crisis represents a new start. As a result of the current crisis, Ukraine received powerful international support. Now the European Union wants the crisis in Ukraine to be solved, especially in the context of the supply of natural gas from Russia. Furthermore, the crisis revealed the necessity of the EU and the region where Moldova is situated to think about the energy security.

The expert said that if they act correctly, the tragedy in Ukraine will serve as a reason for reconstructing Ukrainian society. Russia was a kind of regional attraction pole, but, as the existent security system was destroyed by its acts, the Ukrainians should make a choice – either to contribute to creating a new security system or to rehabilitate the current one.

Igor Botan believes that time and energy are needed for building a new system. However, regardless of the decision that will be taken, Moldova should also take part in its implementation so as to settle its own conflict, the Transnistrian one.

According to the expert, after the new Ukrainian president was elected, the elites started to unite as they understood that the situation that was before the crisis cannot be restored. The situation in other parts of Ukraine is worsening. Therefore, Russia should act in order to clam things down and not to allow new tragedies in Ukraine. Regretfully, it is not yet ready to temper the situation and the population in the region cannot be calm until the Kremlin starts to show such sings.

The debate “Moldovan-Ukrainian relations in new geopolitical and regional security conditions” is the 31st of the series of debates “Development of political culture in public debates” that are organized by IPN in concert Radio Moldova and with the support of the German foundation Hanns Seidel.