In March 2024, Transnistria, a breakaway region of Moldova under Russia’s influence for over 30 years, appealed to Moscow for help, fearing Moldovan attempts to regain control. While Russia has warned that any use of force would be seen as an attack against the Russian Federation, some nevertheless believe that the war in Ukraine has provided Moldova with a prime opportunity to reassert sovereignty over Transnistria. But could Moldova really be planning to retake Transnistria by force?

The Republic of Moldova, once known as Bessarabia, is a landlocked nation bordered by Ukraine and Romania. Emerging from the former Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic after the end of the Cold War, it is predominantly Romanian-speaking. However, at the same time, Transnistria declared independence in 1990 as the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR). This led to a short conflict followed by a ceasefire and Russian military presence. Despite international efforts, the conflict remains unresolved due to political and economic interests, including Russia's desire to maintain regional influence. However, Moldova's recent EU candidacy and the shift in military dynamics in Ukraine have shifted the focus to Moldova's potential to retake Transnistria. But is this likely?

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VIDEO CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and Titles
00:42 Reasserting Sovereignty over De Facto States
03:04 A Short History of Moldova
04:26 Moldova and the Emergence of the Transnistrian Issue
05:56 Efforts to Resolve the Transnistria Issue
06:55 Moldova, Transnistria and the Ukraine War
08:21 Is Moldova Plannign to Retake Transnistria?
10:08 Could Moldova Invade Transnistria?
11:47 Political Arguments Against Military Action

SOURCES AND FURTHER READING
Moldova | Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
https://mfa.gov.md/en
Moldova | National Army YouTube
   / mdnationalarmy  
Russia | Ministry of Foreign Affairshttps://mid.ru/en/
OSCE Mission to Moldova | Transdniestrian Conflict Resolution
https://www.osce.org/mission-to-moldo...
Moldavian SSR | 1989 Language Lawhttps://cis-legislation.com/document....

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#Moldova #Transnistria #Russia