Moldova plans to prevent voting for Putin in Transnistria

The Moldovan authorities do not intend to authorize the opening of polling stations in the Russian presidential election in the Transnistrian region.

According to Yevropeiska Pravda, this was stated by the new Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova, Mihai Popschiu, on Radio Moldova.

The minister made the statement commenting on the opening of polling stations for the Russian elections in Moldova.

"The opening of polling stations in the Transnistrian region is unacceptable. Unfortunately, this has happened in the past, but no polling station can be opened without the consent of the constitutional authorities of the Republic of Moldova, except for the one in the embassy, but this, obviously, must be formally approved," he explained.

The minister emphasized that if Russia opens its polling stations in Transnistria, the Moldovan authorities should have a response plan.

According to him, according to the Vienna Convention, Moldova cannot ban voting on the territory of the Russian embassy. Other attempts to open polling stations need to be discussed.

"This is a topic that is currently being discussed. As soon as we make a decision, it will be announced. This decision needs consultations to be the best one. The issue of opening polling stations has arisen in other elections, in particular, with the opening of polling stations in the Transnistrian region, which is unacceptable," the minister said.

Russia has sent a request to the Republic of Moldova to open polling stations for the presidential elections scheduled for March 15-17, 2024.

In previous years, Russia has always opened polling stations in the Transnistrian region, where, according to official figures, about 200,000 Russian citizens live.

In the last State Duma elections, which took place on September 17-19, 2021, 30 polling stations were opened in Moldova, 27 of which were in Transnistria. The authorities in Chisinau did not authorize their opening.

Earlier, experts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believe that Russia may try to justify its aggression or destabilization efforts in Moldova by claiming that the residents of Transnistria are in danger due to Moldova's alleged refusal to engage in a settlement process in the region.

Earlier, ISW stated that the Kremlin is likely creating informational conditions to justify future Russian aggression in Moldova under the guise of protecting its "countrymen abroad" and the "Russian world" - concepts that are deliberately based on vague definitions of ethnic Russians and Russian speakers in foreign countries.

Also, Moldovan President Maia Sandu said that in the spring, the Russian Federation will intensify its attempts to destabilize the political situation in her country.

Кирило Бойко