Russia warns West over threatening its troops in breakaway Moldovan area

In Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy rejected Moscow’s assertion that Ukraine wished to take over the area, whereas Moldova reiterated there was no fact to the allegations.

Moscow,UPDATED: Feb 26, 2023 02:58 IST

Moldovan Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu gestures whereas talking throughout a joint information convention with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov following his talks in Moscow, Russia (Reuters)

By Reuters:

Russia advised the West on Friday that it could view as an assault on itself any actions that threatened Russian peacekeepers in Moldova’s breakaway Transdniestria area, at some point after Moscow accused Ukraine of planning an invasion.

In Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy rejected Moscow’s assertion that Ukraine wished to take over the area, whereas Moldova reiterated there was no fact to the allegations.

The warning comes amid elevated considerations in Moldova, a small ex-Soviet republic bordering Ukraine, of a potential Russian menace. Its pro-European President Maia Sandu this month accused Moscow of plotting a coup.

On Thursday, Russia accused Kyiv of planning to invade Transdniestria, which borders Ukraine. The primarily Russian-speaking territory broke from Moldova’s management in 1990, a 12 months earlier than the collapse of the Soviet Union.

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“We warn the United States, NATO member states and their Ukrainian wards against taking yet another reckless step,” Russia’s international ministry.

“Any action that threatens their security will be considered under international law as an attack on the Russian Federation.”

There are round 1,700 Russian troops in Transdniestria, which has a inhabitants of roughly 440,000.

Moldovan Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu stated what he referred to as Russia’s “provocative” feedback a couple of potential Ukrainian assault have been unfaithful.

“The Moldovan authorities have rejected these statements as unfounded, made to manipulate public opinion. The security situation in the region is stable,” he wrote on the Telegram messaging app on Friday.

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Zelenskiy advised a information convention that Russia was participating in fixed provocations.

“They clearly understand that we respect the territorial integrity of Moldova, and we believe the territory of Transdniestria is the territory of the independent state of Moldova,” he stated.

Zelenskiy final week stated it was “obvious” Ukraine was not the final nation in Moscow’s sights and that the Kremlin was eager about methods to “strangle” Moldova.

Published On:

Feb 26, 2023