The separatist Transnistrian region poses an increased threat to Moldova and Ukraine, Ukrainian Ambassador Serhii Pyrozhkov said in the program “Fabrika” on Publika TV channel, being quoted by IPN.

The diplomat stated there are more chances, compared wit Crimea, that Russia will repeat the Ukraine scenario given that unlike Crimea, there was an armed conflict in Transnistria already and there are Russian troops there, while the population is ready for a possible annexation to Russia. ‘The Kremlin’s tactic is well-known: it causes provocations to destabilize the situation and then, on the pretext of helping the co-nationals, conquers the territory,” stated Serhii Pyrozhkov.

He considers that Tiraspol may send emissaries to southeastern Ukraine to destabilize the situation there. Therefore, the border control on the Transnistrian segment was stepped up. In the same connection, the ambassador denied the press reports that 250 Transnistrian combatants went to Ukraine to join the insurgents.

Serhii Pyrozhkov approved of the fact that the media outlets in Moldova cover the situation in Ukraine with increased professionalism, except for the pro-Communist media that disseminate Russia’s viewpoint in the absence of a profound and objective approach.

As to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s call to postpone the referendums in Lugansk and Donetsk, the diplomat said that 72% of the people in these regions are for territorial integrity and the Kremlin strategists surely took these data into account.