Moldova refuses entry to russian soldiers blocking troop rotation in Transnistria

A group of russian military personnel, part of the so-called operational group of russian troops based in Transnistria, was not allowed to enter the territory of Moldova.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova reported in a statement.

The foreign policy department says that "officers of the so-called operative group of russian troops, a formation that illegally resides on the territory of our country and violates the neutrality statute, are not allowed on the territory of Moldova."

Moldova says it has every right to impede the rotation of russian troops in the breakaway region of Transnistria, given its position that, apart from a peacekeeping contingent, they are there illegally.

"The rotation of servicemen as part of the russian peacekeeping contingent is carried out per the mechanism established to avoid risks and ensure the coordinated movement of the personnel of the contingent," the message says.

Moldova also denied russian foreign ministry complaints that it is sabotaging the rotation of russian troops in Transnistria and not letting russia bring modern weaponry to its forces in the region.

"Our country rejects the accusations launched [by russia], with the explicit mention that cases of non-authorized entry of certain russian servicemen are related to [russian] non-compliance with the criteria established in the mechanism."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also repeated "the position of the Moldovan authorities regarding the need to unconditionally resume the process of withdrawal of russian troops and ammunition depots from the territory of the country."

As reported, the Center for Combating Disinformation under the National Security and Defense Council informed that russian mass media are spreading a manipulative narrative about alleged military actions on the territory of Transnistria.

Moldova has no longer allowed this rotation of R]russian troops since 2015 and has repeatedly asked the UN General Assembly to ensure the withdrawal of russian forces from its territory.

Reference

Transnistria is a russia-backed pseudo-republic, unrecognized by the international community, considering it a part of Moldova. 

On May 18, almost three months after russia started the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Moldovan President demanded russia to its troops from Transnistria. "Today, there is no inevitable threat of Moldova's involvement in a military conflict, we are a neutral country, but for this, we call for the withdrawal of the Russian military from the territory of Transnistria because their presence fundamentally undermines our independence, our neutrality," Sandu emphasized.

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