Ukraine opposes the federalization of the Republic of Moldova, is against any “extended autonomy” for the Transnistrian region of Moldova, is against the presence of Russian troops in the region. In general, Ukraine opposes the imposition on the Republic of Moldova of a model advantageous to Russia, also because this model can be later imposed on Ukraine, Artem Filipenko, Head of the Department for the Danube and Black Sea Region of the National Institute for Strategic Studies of Ukraine, stated in an interview for the Sibiu Laboratory for Transnistrian Conflict Analysis.
Regrettably, said Artem Filipenko, Ukraine does not have now a clearly formulated position on Transnistria. There is only a common position that a solution should be agreed by respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Moldova within its legal borders declared in 1991.
“Under the updated military doctrine of Ukraine, the Russian military contingent on the territory of Transnistria is one of the real military threats. Consequently, the withdrawal of the Russian troops and armament from the Transnistrian region is the main precondition for solving the Transnistrian conflict. The next step is the change of the format of the peacekeeping mission from a military to a police one, under the auspices of the UN,” stated Artem Filipenko.
He also said that it would be opportune to know the position of Chisinau as regards the algorithm of steps and the “roadmap” for democratizing the region, ensuring the economic reintegration of this, etc. as it is hard for Ukraine to formulate its own position without knowing Moldova’s view and what the neighboring country wants to obtain.
The expert noted the participation of volunteers of the Ukrainian National Self-Defense (UNA-UNSO) in military actions on behalf of the Transnistrian separatists is a black page in the relations between Ukraine and Moldova. “I think the Romania-phobia from the Soviet epoch and the Russian propaganda had an impact here in many regards,” said Artem Filipenko.
He opined that an eventual meeting of President Igor Dodon and the Ukrainian President can cause a negative reaction in Ukraine given that Igor Dodon presented himself as “a friend of Russia” when he said that Crimea is de facto a Russian territory.
The expert noted yet that the isolation of the Moldovan President can push this towards closer relations with Russia. Ukraine should pay the necessary attention to Moldova and should build relations with the current administration, based mainly on its national interests. “There should be no place for corrupt ties or excessive ideology or romanticism. Only pragmatism,” stated Artem Filipenko.
