USA (bbabo.net), - Moldova confirms its intention to resolve the conflict in Transnistria exclusively by peaceful means, while continuing to insist on the withdrawal of Russian troops from this region. This was stated by President Maia Sandu, known for her Russophobic views, in her speech at the UN General Assembly in New York.
She stressed that three decades after the armed conflict on the Dniester, Chisinau is still trying to overcome the consequences of this confrontation and reintegrate the country through peaceful dialogue, while respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova. The head of the Moldovan state also called for the elimination of the Russian ammunition depot in the village of Kolbasna, which could pose a danger to people and the environment (about 20,000 tons of shells, mostly expired, left after the withdrawal of the 14th Army in the 1990s. - note .bbabo.net).
“I would like to repeat that the position of the Moldovan authorities on the complete and unconditional withdrawal of Russian military forces remains unchanged. The presence of the Russian military violates the neutrality of Moldova. We call for the withdrawal or destruction of ammunition in warehouses in Kolbasna, which is an environmental threat for the entire region and not only,” Sandu said.
She added that she represents a country that wants peace and citizens that want peace.
“Moldova knows what it means to be a divided state. In 1992, the country experienced a short but bitter war. And thirty years later, we are trying to overcome the consequences of this conflict in order to restore the country. The only possibility for this is a peaceful dialogue with respect for our sovereignty and territorial integrity. We are working hard to keep the peace on both banks of the Dniester,” concluded Maia Sandu.
Recall that the warehouse in Kolbasna (Transnistria) is the largest military warehouse in Eastern Europe and is located only 120 km from Chisinau and directly near the border with Ukraine. Most of the ammunition was stored there after the withdrawal of Soviet troops from the former GDR, Czechoslovakia and other countries of the socialist camp. In August 2019, Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Sergei Shoigu visited Chisinau. He discussed with the leadership of Moldova the issue of revision and disposal of weapons depots in Pridnestrovie.
Chisinau has long been demanding the withdrawal of the Operational Group of Russian Troops at various negotiation platforms (the OGRF is about 1.5 thousand military personnel who make up the peacekeeping contingent and guard the warehouses in Kolbasna. - approx. bbabo.net) from the region, calling their stay illegal and equating it occupational. The authorities of the Republic of Moldova propose to replace the peacekeepers with a civilian mission, despite the fact that their mandate is determined by an international treaty by a political solution to the Transnistrian conflict, and this is still far away.
They say in Tiraspol that if this happens, then Moldova will again try to establish control over Transnistria by force. Against the background of the militarization of the Republic of Moldova, which is now being actively pursued by its Western partners, the Transnistrian authorities have asked Moscow to strengthen the Russian peacekeeping contingent.
In turn, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned that "any actions that would endanger the security of our servicemen in Transnistria will be considered, in accordance with international law, as an attack on Russia."
bbabo.Net