Russia Warns "If Russian Troops Stationed in Moldova Are Threatened, They Will Attack"... Warning to Moldova Government

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Russia has warned that its troops stationed in the eastern Moldovan conflict zone of Transnistria may attack Moldova if threatened. As the front line with Ukraine becomes stalemated, concerns are rising that Russia could pressure Ukraine from both east and west by invading Moldova.

According to TASS on the 1st (local time), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov strongly warned at a press conference that "any action threatening the safety of our troops stationed in Transnistria will be considered an attack on Russia under international law," adding, "There was a similar case when our peacekeepers were attacked in South Ossetia, Georgia."

The Moldovan government responded to Russia's warning by asserting that it guarantees the rights of all minorities, including Russian speakers, and instead demanded the withdrawal of Russian troops. Moldovan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Daniel Boda stated on Twitter, "We remain committed to peaceful dialogue in the Transnistria region," and urged, "Russia must withdraw its illegally stationed troops from our territory." He added, "There is no basis for any other approach," and noted, "The Foreign Minister summoned the Russian charg? d'affaires to clarify our country's position."

Russia's warning to the Moldovan government is seen as a possible strategy to attack Moldova amid the stalemate on the Ukrainian front and encircle Ukraine from east and west. Moldova, located in southwestern Ukraine, has the Transnistria region on its eastern border, which effectively separated after an uprising in 1992 opposing independence from the Soviet Union. Approximately 1,500 Russian troops are reportedly stationed in that area.

Meanwhile, since Maia Sandu's administration won the 2020 presidential election, Moldova has shifted from a pro-Russian policy to improving relations with the European Union (EU) and the West. Shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, Moldova applied for EU membership in early March and obtained EU candidate status alongside Ukraine in June.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.