Zelenskyy seeks contact with Moldova: Russia designates Transnistria as its own territory

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has instructed officials to establish contact with Moldova after Russia simplified the procedure for granting citizenship to residents of Transnistria.

Source: Zelenskyy in his evening address, as reported by European Pravda

Quote: "A new step was taken by Russia regarding Transnistria: the Russians have simplified the process of obtaining citizenship for people from this region of Moldova. This is a noteworthy move, and it means not only that Russia is looking for new soldiers, because citizenship entails military duty."

Details: He added that Russia is thereby marking Transnistria as its own territory.

"They in Moscow often tell different interlocutors that they are allegedly interested only in Donbas. In reality, it is far from only Donbas. We must respond to this. Especially since the Russian military contingent and intelligence presence in Transnistria is also a challenge for us," Zelenskyy stressed.

Zelenskyy underlined that Ukraine is interested in a stable and strong Moldova.

"I have instructed the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry to engage with Moldova on a joint assessment and joint actions. I am also expecting proposals from Ukrainian intelligence services regarding the format of response. Russia should think more about its own refineries and oil transshipment facilities, rather than about the citizens of other states and the lands of other peoples," he added.

Background:

• Russian leader Vladimir Putin signed a decree simplifying the granting of Russian citizenship to residents of the unrecognised Transnistria region.
• Earlier this week, Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu said that the chances of reintegrating Transnistria are now "higher than ever", although the process would take years.

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