2024-02-29 09:27:23
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) has accused Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin of “playing with fire” in relation to the Republic of Moldova. The supposed request for protection from the breakaway region of Transnistria sounds “a bit like something from a Kremlin script,” Schallenberg said on Thursday in Beirut. “He (Putin) should only be warned that the Moscow script, which now seems to be unfolding again, will not work.”
After similar maneuvers, Russia annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea in 2014 and four other Ukrainian regions eight years later. Transnistria seceded from the Republic of Moldova in 1992. Since the start of the Ukraine war, there has been speculation that Putin could play the Transnistria card to put pressure on neighboring Ukraine.
Putin “has always been good for surprises, but unfortunately for bad surprises in recent years,” Schallenberg told accompanying journalists on the sidelines of his Middle East trip. “It could also be that they simply want to force Ukraine to move troop contingents again towards the south of the country.”
Schallenberg went on to say that such a development was “basically to be expected.” In this regard, he referred to a conversation he had with his Moldovan counterpart Mihai Popsoi at the Munich Security Conference in mid-February. “We have not ruled out the possibility of such a development occurring, especially due to the energy situation,” said the Foreign Minister, referring to Ukraine’s announcement that it would cut the gas transit contract to Moldova. The use of cheap Russian gas for electricity production, among other things, is one of the separatist region’s main sources of income.
Schallenberg cited the EU referendum in the Republic of Moldova planned for autumn as another possible reason for the current escalation. Accordingly, developments show that “in reality, Moscow’s grip is becoming ever weaker.” “Moldova has made a very clear decision, is following a very consistent European course, is fully supported by us and we are all in complete solidarity with the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Moldova.”
When asked how Moldova should react to a possible annexation of Transnistria by Russia, Schallenberg said: “Keeping a cool head is the best thing they can do at the moment.” The Moldovan government’s initial reactions were “very sensible”, “which was very reassuring”.
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