For the publication “Московский комсомолец” (MK), the “super-short” length of the visit to Chisinau paid by the second most important person in the Russian presidential administration is due to the fact that the escapade occurred after “Russia suffered an ordinary geopolitical defeat and undoubtedly lost to the West in the small Moldova, which apparently has all the cards up its sleeve. MK notes that the representative of the Kremlin is not a novice in Moldovan politics, but his name is related to multiple failures”.
Among others, MK reveals that the famous “Kozak Memorandum” of 2003, which was served to the public as a peacemaking instrument between the two sides of the Nistru, actually strengthened the military presence of Russia in the region. The source also refers to Russia’s interests in the events of 2019: they aimed to use the right to remove Plahotniuc’s Democratic Party and to then remove Plahotniuc too and offer President Dodon full power. But things developed differently...”
Taking into account the circumstances in Ukraine, MK considers the situation regarding Transnistria and the troops of “Russian peacekeepers” is criticized. In this connection, it is presented the opinion of the expert of the Institute of CIS Countries Ivan Skorikov, who is aware of the Moldova’s side’s intention to ask for the removal of the Russian military presence from the area and to say that the Russian official “pursues other goals”. Undoubtedly, he will not discuss the withdrawal of the (Russian) troops from Transnistria. Kozak is not the man who comes to hear the opinion of a non-friend country. He comes with the own agenda and concrete proposals”.
Answering the question as to what the Russian side can propose to arouse Maia Sandu’s interest in constructive cooperation, the expert mentions the price of gas, the access of agricultural products to the Russian market, the problems of the enormous Moldovan diaspora in the Russian Federation. Surely, there will be discussed a new candidate for Moldova’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation. These are the “bonbons” brought by Kozak to Sandu. Their acceptance could mean that in Chisinau they stopped to spit into the well they drink from, which would make a meeting between Putin and Sandu possible”.
The expert considers the Russian side in fact wants first of all to take over from the U.S. the initiative in the regional case. Secondly, it wants to pave the way for interaction with the regime of Sandu. The Kremlin’s position on the meeting of Putin and Sandu, who back in the presidential campaign said she would like to meet with the Russian President, will be shaped in that environment,” wrote MK.
