The Transnistrian challenge: Why tensions are escalating between Russia and Moldova

A diplomatic row escalated in 2017 between Moldova and Russia, with Moldova expelling five Russian diplomats in May 2017, and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin being prevented from entering the disputed territory of Transnistria at the end of July 2017.

Alexander Tabachnik writes that much of the animosity between the two countries is linked to internal political debates between pro-western and pro-Russian parties within Moldova, as well as the wider regional instability caused by the Ukraine crisis and the continuing dispute over Transnistria.

ESO: Background information: Moldova between EU integration and Eurasian Union rapprochement http://www.europeansources.info/record/moldova-between-eu-integration-and-eurasian-union-rapprochement/

ICG: Conflict history: Moldova http://www.europeansources.info/record/website-moldova-2/

ESO: Background information: Ever-Intractable Transdniestria http://www.europeansources.info/record/ever-intractable-transdniestria/

---