The settlement of the Transnistrian conflict cannot be examined in total separation from the general issues of security in Europe, and a key issue in the settlement process should be a special and guaranteed status for Transnistria within a territorially integral Moldova – this is how Russian Ambassador to Moldova Valeri Kuzmin sees the resolution of the Transnistrian conflict. In an interview with Info-Prim Neo, the ambassador said that a final resolution is only possible if the parties involved in the conflict move closer to each other. The Russian diplomat stated in this connection that territorial integrity does not necessarily mean a unitary form of government. “It is also important to understand that in the course of the settlement process the shape of the international mission will also change: the current military peacekeeping mission will be replace by a civilian, peace-guaranteeing mission”, stated Kuzmin. He added that the allegations that the Russian military presence could pose any threat don't even deserve to be commented. “I will only say that the peacemakers from Russia are perceived unequivocally in Transnistria as a guarantee of not only peace but also of a fair settlement in general. In any case, the American military bases stationed in Romania, Bulgaria and Kosovo have a greater influence on regional security in the South East Balkans, as they are incomparably larger in size; not to mention the plans to install American missile interceptors in Bulgaria and Romania”, stated Russian Ambassador to Moldova Valeri Kuzmin in an interview with Info-Prim Neo.