Transnistria conflict#International recognition of Transnistria

{{main|History of Transnistria}}

File:Transnistria since Asybaris.jpg

File:Pridnestrian Administration.png

The Soviet Union in the 1930s had an autonomous region of Transnistria inside Ukraine, called the Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (MASSR), half of whose population were Romanian-speaking people, and with Tiraspol as its capital.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}

During World War II, when Romania, aided by Nazi Germany, took control of Transnistria, it did not attempt to annex the occupied territory during the war, although it planned do so in the future.Charles King: "The Moldovans", Hoover Institution Press, Stanford, California, 1999, page 93Memoirs of Gherman Pântea, mayor of Odessa 1941–1944, in ANR-DAIC, d.6

During the War of Transnistria, some villages in the central part of Transnistria (on the eastern bank of the Dniester) rebelled against the new separatist Transnistria (PMR) authorities. They have been under effective Moldovan control as a consequence of their rebellion against the PMR. These localities are: commune Cocieri (including village Vasilievca), commune Molovata Nouă (including village Roghi), commune Corjova (including village Mahala), commune Coșnița (including village Pohrebea), commune Pîrîta, and commune Doroțcaia. The village of Corjova is in fact divided between PMR and Moldovan central government areas of control. Roghi is also controlled by the PMR authorities.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}

At the same time, some areas on the right bank of the Dniester are under PMR control. These areas consist of the city of Bender with its suburb Proteagailovca, the communes Gîsca, Chițcani (including villages Mereneşti and Zahorna), and the commune of Cremenciug, formally{{Cite web |title=Cremenciug, raionul Căuşeni |url=https://moldovenii.md/md/city/details/id/431 |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=moldovenii.md}} in the Căușeni District, situated south of the city of Bender.{{Cite web |last=Vichos, Adaktilidou |first=Ioannis F., Anna |date=2010 |title=Moldova’s Energy Strategy and the “Frozen Conflict” of Transnistria |url=https://archive.ph/20130615070819/http://www.ekemeuroenergy.org/en/index.php#selection-521.4-535.4}}

The breakaway PMR authorities also claim the communes of Varnița, in the Anenii Noi District, a northern suburb of Bender, and Copanca, in the Căușeni District, south of Chițcani, but these villages remain under Moldovan control.{{Cite web |title=Harta punctelor de trecere ale frontierei de stat {{!}} POLIȚIA DE FRONTIERĂ A REPUBLICII MOLDOVA |url=https://border.gov.md/index.php/ro/harta-punctelor-de-trecere |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=border.gov.md}}

Several disputes have arisen from these cross-river territories. In 2005, PMR militia entered Vasilievca, which is located over the strategic road linking Tiraspol and Rîbnița, but withdrew after a few days.{{cite web|title=Moldova Azi|url=http://www.azi.md/news?ID=33404|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060514224130/http://www.azi.md/news?ID=33404|archive-date=14 May 2006|access-date=23 December 2006}}{{cite web|title=Locuitorii satului Vasilievca de pe malul stâng al Nistrului trăiesc clipe de coșmar|url=http://www2.dw-world.de/romanian/politik/1.129357.1.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050318063305/http://www2.dw-world.de/romanian/politik/1.129357.1.html|archive-date=18 March 2005|access-date=20 January 2007}} In 2006 there were tensions around Varnița. In 2007 there was a confrontation between Moldovan and PMR forces in the Dubăsari-Cocieri area; however, there were no casualties. On 13 May 2007, the mayor of the village of Corjova, which is under Moldovan control, was arrested by the PMR militsia (police) together with a councilor of Moldovan-controlled part of the Dubăsari district.{{cite web|title=Ineffectiveness of peacekeeping mechanism leads to incidents in Moldova's Security Zone|url=http://conflict.md/stiri.php?ID=2467|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927010610/http://conflict.md/stiri.php?ID=2467|archive-date=27 September 2007|access-date=8 February 2016}}

Amid the prelude to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, on 14 January 2022 Ukrainian military intelligence declared that Russian special services were preparing "provocations" against Russian soldiers stationed in Transnistria at the time to create a casus belli for a Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{cite news|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/1/14/russia-is-preparing-a-pretext-for-invading-ukraine-us-official|title=Russia is preparing a pretext for invading Ukraine: US official|newspaper=Al Jazeera English|date=14 January 2022}}

On 24 February, on the first day of the invasion, there were allegations that some rockets that had hit Ukraine had been launched from Transnistria, although Moldova's Ministry of Defense denied this.{{cite news|title=Moldova tightens security after explosions heard close to Russia-backed Transnistria|url=https://intellinews.com/moldova-tightens-security-after-explosions-heard-close-to-russia-backed-transnistria-236052/|access-date=24 February 2022|agency=Intellinews}} On 4 March, Ukraine blew up a railway bridge on its border with Transnistria to prevent the 1,400 Russian troops stationed in the breakaway territory from crossing into Ukraine.{{cite news |last1=Ernst |first1=Iulian |title=Ukraine blows up bridge to Transnistria after Tiraspol reasserts its independence |url=https://www.intellinews.com/ukraine-blows-up-bridge-to-transnistria-after-tiraspol-reasserts-its-independence-237137/ |access-date=12 March 2022 |work=intellinews |date=7 March 2022 |archive-date=7 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307200553/https://www.intellinews.com/ukraine-blows-up-bridge-to-transnistria-after-tiraspol-reasserts-its-independence-237137/ |url-status=live}} Later, on 6 March, there were again claims that attacks that had hit Vinnytsia's airport had been launched from Transnistria, although Moldovan officials again denied this and said that they had been launched from Russian ships in the Black Sea.{{cite news|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/03/6/7328856/|title=Missiles which hit Vinnytsia were not launched from the Transnistria – Ministry of Defence of Moldova|newspaper=Ukrayinska Pravda|date=6 March 2022}}

Amid rumors that Transnistria would attack Ukraine, Transnistrian President Vadim Krasnoselski declared Transnistria to be a peaceful state which never had any plans to attack its neighbors and that those who spread these allegations were people without control over the situation or provocateurs with malicious intentions. He also made reference to the large ethnically Ukrainian population of Transnistria and how Ukrainian is taught in Transnistrian schools and is one of the official languages of the republic.{{cite news|url=https://www.stiripesurse.ro/liderul-de-la-tiraspol-vadim-krasnoselski-transnistria-este-un-stat-pasnic-nu-am-avut-niciodata-planuri-de-natura-agresiva-fata-de-vecinii-nostri_2261995.html |title=Liderul de la Tiraspol, Vadim Krasnoselski: Transnistria este un stat pașnic. Nu am avut niciodată planuri de natură agresivă față de vecinii noștri |trans-title=Tiraspol leader Vadim Krasnoselski: Transnistria is a peaceful state. We have never had aggressive plans against our neighbors |first=Bogdan |last=Antonescu |newspaper=stiripesurse.ro |date=26 February 2022 |language=ro}} However, in March, an image of the Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko standing in front of a battle plan map of the invasion of Ukraine was leaked. This map showed a supposed incursion of Russian troops from the Ukrainian city port of Odesa into Transnistria and Moldova, revealing that Transnistria could become involved in the war.{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/596409-belarus-president-stands-in-front-of-battle-map-indicating-moldova/|title=Belarus president stands in front of map indicating Moldova invasion plans|first=Ellen|last=Mitchell|newspaper=The Hill|date=1 March 2022}}

Ukrainian military officials had identified the establishment of a "land corridor" to Transnistria as one of Russia's primary objectives since the first day of the invasion.{{cite web|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/02/24/7325571/|date=2022-02-24|access-date=2024-03-12|lang=uk|website=Ukrayinska Pravda|title=Російські війська хочуть прорватися до Миколаєва, йдуть бої в околицях Чернігова}} On 22 April 2022, Russia's Brigadier General Rustam Minnekayev in a defence ministry meeting said that Russia planned to extend its Mykolaiv–Odesa front in the Ukraine war further west to include the Transnistria on the Ukrainian border with Moldova.{{cite news |last=Hubenko |first=Dmytro |date=22 April 2022 |title=Russia eyes route to Trans-Dniester: What do we know? |publisher=Deutsche Welle |url=https://www.dw.com/en/russia-eyes-route-to-trans-dniester-what-do-we-know/a-61559127}}{{cite news |date=22 April 2022 |title=Russia plans to seize Donbas, southern Ukraine: Military official |publisher=Al Jazeera |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/22/russia-says-it-plans-to-seize-donbas-southern-ukraine}} Minnekaev announced that the plan of Russia's military action in Ukraine included taking full control of Southern Ukraine and achieving a land corridor to Transnistria. He also talked about the existence of supposed evidence of "oppression of the Russian-speaking population" of Transnistria, echoing Russia's justifications for the war in Ukraine.{{Cite news |date=April 26, 2022 |title=Moldova holds urgent security meeting after Transnistria blasts |work=Aljazeera |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/26/blasts-hit-ministry-in-moldovas-transnistria-near-ukraine}} The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine described this intention as imperialism, saying that it contradicted previous Russian claims that it did not have territorial ambitions in Ukraine".

On 26 April, Ukrainian presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovych said during an interview that Moldova was a close neighbor to Ukraine, that Ukraine was not indifferent to it and that Moldova could turn to Ukraine for help. He also declared that Ukraine was able to solve the problem of Transnistria "in the blink of an eye", but only if Moldovan authorities requested the country's help; and that Romania could also come to Moldova's aid as "they are in fact the same people", with the same language as he continued, even though "there are many Moldovans who would not agree with me".{{cite news|url=https://deschide.md/ro/stiri/23/105562/VIDEO--Arestovici-Ucraina-poate-rezolva-problema-transnistrean%C4%83-%E2%80%9Dc%C3%A2t-ai-pocni-din-degete%E2%80%9D-dar-trebuie-ca-R-Moldova-s%C4%83-i-cear%C4%83-ajutorul.htm|title=VIDEO // Arestovici: Ucraina poate rezolva problema transnistreană "cât ai pocni din degete", dar trebuie ca R. Moldova să-i ceară ajutorul|first=Tudor|last=Ioniță|newspaper=Deschide.MD|date=27 April 2022|language=ro}} Moldova officially rejected this suggestion from Ukraine, expressing its support only for a peaceful outcome of the conflict.{{cite news|url=https://www.intellinews.com/moldova-rejects-ukraine-s-offer-to-seize-transnistria-242742/|title=Moldova rejects Ukraine's offer to seize Transnistria|first=Iulian|last=Ernst|publisher=bne IntelliNews|date=28 April 2022}}

On 12 September 2024, a Moldovan soldier was killed under unclear circumstances in the demarcation line of Transnistria.{{cite web|url=https://fakti.bg/en/bulgaria/911766-a-moldovan-soldier-was-killed-in-an-incident-on-the-demarcation-line-with-transnistria|title=A Moldovan soldier was killed in an incident on the demarcation line with Transnistria}}

On 29 December 2024, Moldova's Transdniestria region faced gas cuts as a transit deal with Ukraine expired, prompting fears of power shortages. Moldova denies owing debts to Gazprom and is securing alternative supplies from Romania to manage the situation.{{Cite news |date=29 December 2024|title=Moldova's separatist region cuts gas as Ukraine transit deal runs out|newspaper=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/moldovas-separatist-region-cuts-gas-ukraine-transit-deal-runs-out-2024-12-29/|access-date=31 December 2024}}

According to PMR advocates, the territory to the east of the Dniester River never belonged either to Romania nor to its predecessors, such as the Principality of Moldavia. This territory was split off from the Ukrainian SSR in a political maneuver of the USSR to become a seed of the Moldavian SSR (in a manner similar to the creation of the Karelo-Finnish SSR). In 1990, the Pridnestrovian Moldavian SSR was proclaimed in the region by a number of conservative local Soviet officials opposed to perestroika. This action was immediately declared void by the then General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev.{{cite web |url=http://pridnestrovie.net/un-report.html |title=UN and OSCE: Pridnestrovie is "different" and "distinct" |access-date=18 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100927094220/http://pridnestrovie.net/un-report.html |archive-date=27 September 2010 }}

At the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Moldova became independent. The Moldovan Declaration of Independence denounced the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact and declared the 2 August 1940 "Law of the USSR on the establishment of the Moldavian SSR" null and void. The PMR side argues that, since this law was the only legislative document binding Transnistria to Moldova, there is neither historical nor legal basis for Moldova's claims over the territories on the left bank of the Dniester.{{cite web |url=http://pridnestrovie.net/moldova_declaration_of_independence.html |title=Moldova: "null and void" merging with Pridnestrovie |access-date=18 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070617065530/http://pridnestrovie.net/moldova_declaration_of_independence.html |archive-date=17 June 2007 }}

A 2010 study conducted by the University of Colorado Boulder showed that the majority of Transnistria's population supports the country's separation from Moldova. According to the study, more than 80% of ethnic Russians and Ukrainians and 60% of ethnic Moldovans in Transnistria preferred independence or annexation by Russia to reunification with Moldova.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2014/03/20/how-people-in-south-ossetia-abkhazia-and-transnistria-feel-about-annexation-by-russia/|title=How people in South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Transnistria feel about annexation by Russia|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=17 December 2016}}

In 2006, officials of the country held a referendum to determine the status of Transnistria. There were two statements on the ballot: the first one was, "Renunciation of independence and potential future integration into Moldova"; the second was, "Independence and potential future integration into Russia". The results of this double referendum were that a large section of the population was against the first statement (96.61%){{Cite web|title=Transnistrische Moldawische Republik (Moldawien), 17. September 2006 : Verzicht auf Unabhängigkeit – [in German]|url=https://www.sudd.ch/event.php?id=md022006|last=ch|first=Beat Müller, beat (at-sign) sudd (dot)|website=www.sudd.ch| date=17 September 2006 |language=en|access-date=15 May 2020}} and in favor of the second one (98.07%).{{Cite web|title=Transnistrische Moldawische Republik (Moldawien), 17. September 2006 : Unabhängigkeitskurs und Beitritt zu Russland – [in German]|url=https://www.sudd.ch/event.php?id=md012006|last=ch|first=Beat Müller, beat (at-sign) sudd (dot)|website=www.sudd.ch| date=17 September 2006 |language=en|access-date=15 May 2020}}

Moldova lost de facto control of Transnistria in 1992, in the wake of the War of Transnistria. However, the Republic of Moldova considers itself the rightful successor state to the Moldavian SSR (which was guaranteed the right to secession from the Soviet Union under the last version of the Soviet Constitution). By the principle of territorial integrity, Moldova claims that any form of secession from the state without the consent of the central Moldovan government is illegal.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} The Moldavian side hence believes that its position is backed by international law.{{Cite web|title=Looking for a Solution Under International Law for the Moldova – Transnistria Conflict|url=http://opiniojuris.org/2020/03/17/looking-for-a-solution-under-international-law-for-the-moldova-transnistria-conflict/|date=17 March 2020|website=Opinio Juris|language=en-US|access-date=15 May 2020}}

It considers the current Transnistria-based PMR government to be illegitimate and not the rightful representative of the region's population, which has a Moldovan plurality (39.9% as of 1989).{{Cite web|title=Refworld {{!}} World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples – Transnistria (unrecognised state)|url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/4954ce57c.html|last=Refugees|first=United Nations High Commissioner for|website=Refworld|language=en|access-date=15 May 2020}} The Moldovan side insists that Transnistria cannot exist as an independent political entity and must be reintegrated into Moldova.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}

According to Moldovan sources, the political climate in Transnistria does not allow the free expression of the will of the people of the region and supporters of reintegration of Transnistria in Moldova are subjected to harassment, arbitrary arrests and other types of intimidation from separatist authorities.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}

Because of the non-recognition of Transnistria's independence, Moldova believes that all inhabitants of Transnistria are legally citizens of Moldova. However, it is estimated that 60,000 to 80,000 inhabitants of Transnistria have acquired Russian citizenship{{Cite web|title=Refworld {{!}} Moldova and Russia: Whether a holder of Ukrainian citizenship, born in Tiraspol, could return to Tiraspol and acquire Russian citizenship (2005)|url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/42df61d337.html|last=Refugees|first=United Nations High Commissioner for|website=Refworld|language=en|access-date=15 May 2020}} and around 20,000 have acquired Ukrainian citizenship. As a result, Moldovan authorities have tried to block the installation of a Russian and Ukrainian consulate in Tiraspol.

Only two states recognize Transnistria's sovereignty, each itself a largely unrecognized state: Abkhazia and South Ossetia. These two states are members of the Community for Democracy and Rights of Nations.

On 21 February 2023, Russian president Vladimir Putin revoked the foreign policy document that declared Russian commitment to Moldovan sovereignty in the context of the Transnistria conflict.{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-cancels-decree-underpinning-moldovas-sovereignty-separatist-conflict-2023-02-22/ | title=Putin cancels decree underpinning Moldova's sovereignty in separatist conflict | newspaper=Reuters | date=22 February 2023 | last1=Tanas | first1=Alexander }}{{cite web | url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2023/02/22/Russia-s-Putin-cancels-decree-underpinning-Moldova-sovereignty-in-separatist-conflict | title=Russia's Putin cancels decree underpinning Moldova sovereignty in separatist conflict | date=22 February 2023 }}

[[File:UN Resolution regarding Territorial withdraw of foreign soldiers in Moldova.png|thumb|206x206px|Results of the United Nations General Assembly vote about the withdrawal of foreign soldiers in Transnistria.

{{Legend|#74C365|In favour}}

{{Legend|#ab4e52|Against}}

{{Legend|#FADA5E|Abstained}}

{{Legend|#89CFF0|Absent when the vote took place}}

{{legend|#C0C0C0|Non-UN member}}

]]

On 22 June 2018, the Republic of Moldova submitted a UN resolution that calls for "Complete and unconditional withdrawal of foreign military forces from the territory of the Republic of Moldova, including Transnistria." The resolution was adopted by a simple majority.{{Cite web|title=General Assembly of the United Nations|url=https://www.un.org/en/ga/72/resolutions.shtml|access-date=15 October 2020|website=www.un.org|language=EN}}

• Four Pillars of Transnistria
• War of Transnistria
• 2006 Transnistrian customs crisis
• International recognition of Transnistria
• Foreign relations of Transnistria
• Moldovan neutrality
• Abkhaz–Georgian conflict
• Gagauzia conflict
• Georgian–Ossetian conflict
• Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

{{Reflist}}

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;Transnistrian side

• [http://www.vspmr.org/?Part=5&Lang=Eng History of creation and development of the Parliament of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR)]

;Moldovan side

• [http://eurojournal.org/index.php?id=C0_5_1 EuroJournal.org's Transnistria category] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209204608/http://eurojournal.org/index.php?id=C0_5_1 |date=9 February 2009 }}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060529033413/http://moldova.org/download/eng/510/ Trilateral Plan for Solving the Transnistrian Issue] (developed by Moldova-Ukraine-Romania expert group)

;Others

;International organizations

• [http://www.osce.org/moldova/13426.html OSCE Mission to Moldova: Conflict resolution and negotiation category]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060311081801/http://www.ecmi.de/jemie/download/1-2004Chapter4.pdf Marius Vahl and Michael Emerson, "Moldova and the Transnistrian Conflict" (pdf)] in "Europeanization and Conflict Resolution: Case Studies from the European Periphery", JEMIE – Journal on Ethnopolitics and Minority Issues in Europe, 1/2004, Ghent, Belgium
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20061120222223/http://www.iss.europa.eu/occasion/occ60.pdf Research on the European Union and the conflict in Transnistria ]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060619043625/http://nycbar.org/PressRoom/PressRelease/2006_0502c.htm New York City Bar: Russia’s Activities in Moldova Violate International Law]

;Ukrainian side

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060210161049/http://www.ipp.md/comentarii1.php?l=en&id=38 The Plan for the Transnistrian Conflict Settlement Proposed by Ukraine]

;Romanian side

• {{cite newsgroup|message-id=1141583344.188412.245710@t39g2000cwt.googlegroups.com|url=https://groups.google.com/forum/#!original/soc.culture.romanian/lKP56NHgE3w/hmED-XXi35wJ|title=All About Transnistria (I)|newsgroup=Soc.culture.romanian|author=Viroel Dolha}}

{{Transnistria conflict}}

{{Geography of Transnistrian conflict}}

{{Moldova topics}}

{{Transnistria topics}}

{{Post-Cold War European conflicts}}

Category:History of Moldova since 1991

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