Generally, Ukraine poses no threats to Moldova, but a lot depends on the further actions of Russia. The consequences of such an active behavior lead to large-scale perturbations not only in the Black Sea region, but also all over the world, senior researcher at the Odessa Branch of the National Institute for Strategic Studies, Ukraine, Iulia Serbina said in an interview with IPN, referring to the joining of Crimea to Russia.
“You should definitely not worry about the export of revolutionary transformations from Ukraine to Moldova, given the not very high level of activism of Moldovan society, except for the mass events in support or against the European integration course staged in Moldova last autumn,” said the Ukrainian expert.
The information about the wish of Odessa and Odessa region to withdraw from Ukraine is incorrect and is inflated by the pro-Russian mass media. “We cannot deny the fact that there are citizens who would like to live as part of Russia or the invented “Novorossia”. But it would be a mistake to say that they represent an overwhelming majority,” stated Iulia Serbina.
These people take part in meetings in support of Russia, use the symbols of the Soviet Union, and hoist the Russian flag above the tent camp set up in the Kulikovo field, creating an opposition to Euromaidan in Odessa. However, many of their activities are rather a response to the active spirit of the Odessa residents, who are in favor of the unity of Ukraine.
According to the expert, sociological researches show the people who are for moving towards Russia represent 20% in Odessa region. It is a significant, but insufficient figure for separation. Moreover, according to the opinion poll conducted by the prestigious analytical center “Democratic Initiatives”, there is no region in Ukraine whose population would support the separation from Ukraine and would be for joining Russia.
Iulia Serbina underlined that the special regional identity of the Odessa residents is an as important factor that prevails over the civic one, and it is very hard to substitute this identity with the Russian one
