MOSCOW (Sputnik) — "He [Salaru] proposes to replace Russian peacekeepers, who play a key role in the implementation of a peacekeeping operation in Transnistria that has proven to be effective, with the peacekeepers with a UN mandate. It is obvious that these conjectures are very dangerous and, of course are in stark contrast with the desire of the new Moldovan Cabinet to develop Russian-Moldovan relations," said Zakharova.
Transnistria, a region with a predominantly Russian and Ukrainian population, broke away from the Soviet Republic of Moldova in 1990, fearing the country might seek to reunify with neighboring Romania. The move triggered a war that ended in a ceasefire in July 1992, but the conflict has remained unresolved.
The region is now striving for international recognition, while Moldova is offering Transnistria autonomy within a unitary state.
