The International multimedia press center MIA “Russia Today” held a briefing on “The situation in Pridnestrovie. Life under external pressure” in Moscow today. First Deputy Chairman of the PMR Government Alevtina Slinchenko, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PMR Vitaly Ignatiev, and Co-Chairman of the Joint Control Commission from Pridnestrovie, deputy of the PMR Supreme Council Oleg Belyakov answered the questions from Russian journalists.
During the introductory speech, Vitaly Ignatyev said that the extremely unfavourable foreign policy situation existing around the republic can be compared only with the situation of the early 1990s, when Pridnestrovie fought for its independence, “with the only difference that the power pressure methods are not used today.” According to him, the totality of all restrictive measures against Pridnestrovie suggests a hybrid war against Pridnestrovie, and in such circumstances the active participation of Russia as a guarantor and mediator of the peace settlement process, including in the framework of a tripartite peacekeeping operation, becomes crucial.
“Now we see a period of stagnation in the negotiation process, and on this background Moldova and Ukraine in an active, synchronous and coordinated manner take against Pridnestrovie measures of comprehensive pressure to limit the potential for economic development, freedom of movement of people. This is the operation “Border” organized by Ukraine, which is still ongoing, and does not allow male Pridnestrovians to enter Ukraine having Russian citizenship. This is a number of unwarranted economic constraints - in this context it should be mentioned Ukraine Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No.117, which banned the supply of excisable products to the territory of Pridnestrovie, Moldova and Ukraine’s actions to destroy the mechanism of railway freight transportation to the territory of Pridnestrovie. Our enterprises bear additional logistical, organizational and financial costs,” told the diplomat to Russian journalists.
During the briefing, Vitaly Ignatiev noted that the implementation of Moldova and Ukraine’s decision on the establishment of joint customs and border control on the border with Pridnestrovie will be another almost fatal blow to the economy of Pridnestrovie. The diplomat especially emphasized that the appearance of the Moldovan security forces on the eastern border of the PMR will mean the organization of a total blockade of the country.
“In 2006, when the rules of customs clearance of our goods changed, and in fact the economic blockade was introduced against Pridnestrovie, the humanitarian convoy from the Russian Federation, regions of Russia, Moscow Oblast could come to Pridnestrovie through Ukraine. Now, due to the current situation in Ukraine it will not be possible to deliver even humanitarian aid,” said Vitaly Ignatiev.
According to the head of PMR Foreign Ministry, over recent years the Moldovan side has also stepped up the practice of criminal cases initiated against the people of Pridnestrovie: entrepreneurs, government representatives and ordinary citizens.
“In fact, Pridnestrovie is subjected to the attempts to put “handcuffs” on it, thereby driving the negotiation process outside the agreements that exist within the framework of this mechanism, trying to present Pridnestrovie not as an equal party of the dialogue, but as the party against which the whole set of repressive methods can be used. This is about a systemic violation of the rights of citizens, including about 200 thousand Russian citizens living in Pridnestrovie. Our republic is subjected to the pressing for its strategic choice, oriented at maximum integration with the Russian Federation, the Eurasian Union. Pridnestrovie is actually a front where Russia fights for the rights and interests of the Russian people, the Russian world, for the opportunity to live on its land within the framework of the civilizational paradigm which the people defines themselves,” concluded the diplomat.
