Frozen conflict next to EU borders : Transnistria

Transistria, also known as Pridnestrovie or Transdniester, is a strip of land between the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. It is a break-away region of Moldova, which declared independence from Moldova in 1990. The conflict started because of political movements in Chisinau based on romantic nationalism and pleaded for re-unification with Romania. The Transnistrian opponents used this argument for separation from Moldova. The tensions led to armed clashes on a limited scale which broke out between Transnistrian separatists and Moldovan police. The rebel military forces have received support particularly from Russian Cossacks who joined the Transnitrian militants. Around 1000 people lost their lives in the armed conflict, which lasted 3 months, from March to June 1992. The Russian Army was deployed in Transnitria with the purpose of backing the Transnitrian authorities and ending the conflict. As a result of Russian Army’s involvement the war ended in stalemate, with a ceasefire declared in July 1992.

Since then, Transnistria has existed in a state of international limbo, ruled continuously by former Communist apparatchik. It has its own parliament, currency, and military, but has not been recognized as a state by any country, although Russia maintains a troop presence there and has opened a consulate in the region (against the will of Moldova). During Soviet era, on third of the Moldovan Soviet Socialist Republic Economy was concentrated in this region. Additionally, it has ton of weaponry and ammunition deposited here during the Cold War, which fate remains unclear up to date. Nowadays, with no reforms, no democracy, Transnistria remains a place in Europe where time has stopped.

For years, the Moldovan Government has struggled to change the status quo peacefully and reunify the country. However, with no real strategy and little interest from the Transnistrian Government the situation looks bleak. Nowadays Moldova does not have a proper army. It is believed that the Moldovan Army in a war with Transnistria will not survive more than 48 hours. According to them “we just don’t have enough bullets to resist”.  In contrast, Transnistria has the financial back-up from Russian, which provides support for social assistance, building soviet monuments and for military reasons.  Russian Federation is determined to maintain its influence in this area. There are around 1300 Russian troops dislocated in Transnistria.

The Republic of Moldova doesn’t have the capacity to solve this long-lasting conflict by oneself. In 2005, in order to legitimate trade and improve security between Moldova and Ukraine, EU launched European Union Board Assistance Mission, which is essentially a technical assistance project, has no political strategy to broker a deal between the parties to the conflict. An overall solution can only be achieved at the political level, to which the EU is also separately contributing to resolve this frozen conflict. Transnistria remains a source of tension for Moldova, its relations with Russia and a source of instability in the Eastern Europe.

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