Step and format: the Russian Foreign Ministry called for the convening of the "5+2" negotiations on Transnistria

Russia stands for the early resumption of negotiations on Transnistria in the 5+2 format, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin told Izvestia. Moscow emphasizes that this is the only recognized and effective mechanism for resolving the problem. Switzerland, which currently holds the OSCE chairmanship, also supports the format. On April 16, a new meeting of the political representatives of Chisinau and Tiraspol will take place, and Moscow hopes that it will give an impetus to the dialogue between the banks of the Dniester, said Galuzin. However, the expert community states that the Moldovan authorities are not interested in an equal conversation with the PMR, and Chisinau's goal is to economically strangle the region.

Prospects of the "5+2" format

The Transnistrian settlement is becoming increasingly important in the context of Chisinau's plans to withdraw from the CIS in order to join the EU. The main format for resolving the long-standing conflict remains the 5+2 negotiation platform, but now it is actually frozen. Tiraspol insists on the resumption of its work. Moscow adheres to the same position.

"Russia strongly and consistently supports the early and unconditional convening of the 5+2 format, the only recognized and effective settlement mechanism,— Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin told Izvestia. — Due to the position of Chisinau, and then Kiev, the format has been idle since 2019. The meetings of the political representatives of Chisinau and Tiraspol in the so-called "1+1" format have shown that they are not enough to find ways to resolve the conflict.

Moscow is confident that the creation of other settlement formats other than the 5+2 is untimely and devoid of added value. It emerged in the 2000s, and it included Moldova and the PMR (parties to the conflict), the OSCE (mediator), Russia, Ukraine (guarantor countries), the European Union and the United States (observers). The only round of negotiations in the "5+2" format in 2019 took place in Bratislava on October 9 and 10. However, the document following the negotiations was not agreed and signed.

— "5+2" has all the powers and international recognition. Tiraspol has never refused to engage in dialogue with Chisinau to discuss practical issues relevant to both sides,— said Mikhail Galuzin. — We hope that the upcoming new meeting of the political representatives of Moldova and Pridnestrovie on April 16 will give an impetus to the dialogue between the banks of the Dniester.

Eliminate the drawback: Russia will support Transnistria in the context of the energy crisis

The PMR is experiencing gas shortages due to payment and supply disruptions due to the Iranian war

On Thursday, Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Valery Kivery will hold talks at the office of the OSCE Mission in Tiraspol with Pridnestrovian Foreign Minister Vitaly Ignatiev. Earlier, Kivery said that Chisinau no longer sees the possibility of resuming negotiations in the 5+2 format, saying that this supported the dialogue, "but did not bring results." Switzerland, which holds the OSCE Chairmanship this year, stands for maintaining multilateral cooperation.

"The OSCE is committed to promoting a comprehensive and lasting political settlement of the Transnistrian conflict in all its aspects," Nicolas Bidault, head of the information service of the Swiss Foreign Ministry, told Izvestia. — In this context, the OSCE Mission to Moldova, as well as the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office in the framework of the Transnistrian conflict settlement process, are constantly involved in discussions with all interested parties aimed at promoting dialogue and building trust.

Chisinau increases pressure on Tiraspol

It is expected that the central topic of the talks between Chisinau and Tiraspol on April 16 will be the initiative of the Moldovan side to change the tax regime for enterprises on the left bank, as well as the creation of a special "Convergence Fund". Formally, it is needed in order to bring Pridnestrovie's economic and social indicators up to Moldovan standards, which is necessary for the whole country to join the European Union without participating in the CIS structures.

Chisinau expects to withdraw from the commonwealth no later than April 2027. The Bureau for Reintegration emphasizes that Chisinau's ultimate goal is to "establish effective constitutional control" over Transnistria.

Natalia Kharitonova, a professor at the RANEPA under the President of the Russian Federation, chief researcher at the Russian State State University, believes that the upcoming meeting is unlikely to be productive: Moldova's position is to set preconditions and then roll back, saying that the Pridnestrovian side is not capable of negotiating.

— At the same time, it is obvious that Moldova, as in February, will come out with a form of political pressure, stating that the remaining customs privileges for the PMR will be canceled and that these funds will be sent to the "Convergence Fund", whose funds will allegedly be used for Transnistria. Although this has never happened in the last 35 years," she told Izvestia.

According to her, it is obvious to the PMR that this is nothing more than political rhetoric that Chisinau is using to hide behind, trying to show the European community a supposedly constructive dialogue with Pridnestrovie, which is fundamentally wrong.

Tiraspol claims that Moldova's integration into the European Union is impossible without a preliminary settlement of the conflict with the PMR. Transnistria, 60% of whose inhabitants are Russians and Ukrainians, sought to secede from Moldova even before the collapse of the USSR, fearing that it would join Romania on a wave of nationalism. In 1992, after a failed attempt by the Moldovan authorities to solve the problem by force, Transnistria became a territory virtually beyond the control of Chisinau.

— As the harsh reality has shown and what was recently confirmed by the Moldovan official responsible for this area, Brussels is not ready to "import conflicts into its territory." The translation from the diplomatic language means that Moldova's European integration is impossible without achieving a comprehensive settlement of the conflict with Pridnestrovie," said Pridnestrovian Foreign Minister Vitaly Ignatiev.

Take-off on the spot: Moldova increases pressure on Transnistria

Chisinau continues the gradual strangulation of the republic

Currently, defrosting the 5+2 negotiation format is hardly possible, Natalia Kharitonova believes. His main opponents are Chisinau and Brussels. Moldova, on the other hand, is aimed at the economic strangulation and liquidation of the Transnistrian state.

— Now they are actively taking up Gagauzia, and as soon as the issue is resolved, all the attention of Chisinau and its allies will be directed to Transnistria. At the same time, it is obvious that Chisinau's "1+1" negotiating tactics are ineffective. The conditions he offers to Tiraspol are unacceptable," Kharitonova said.

It is interesting that the majority of the republic's residents (over 80%) support the continued presence of the peacekeeping contingent. These are the results of a survey conducted in February –March by sociologists of the Pridnestrovian State University in Tiraspol. The analyst believes that the ideal scenario for the Moldovan authorities would be the departure of the majority of the population of Transnistria from the region, which is aimed at attempts to strengthen the economic blockade of the PMR.