View source for Transnistria conflict

{{Short description|Conflict between Moldova and Transnistria}}
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</noinclude>{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{More footnotes|date=December 2016}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2016}}
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{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = Transnistria conflict
| partof = the [[post-Soviet conflicts]]
| image = Transnistria conflict.svg
| image_size = 300
| caption = {{left|{{legend2|#FDE182}} Moldova}} {{right|{{legend2|#EBC0B3}} Transnistria}}
| date = 2 September 1990 – present<br />({{age in years, months, weeks and days|day1=2|month1=9|year1=1990}})
| place = [[Moldova]]n eastern bank of the [[Dniester]], the city of [[Bender, Moldova|Bender]] (Tighina) and some villages at the western bank of the Dniester ([[Chițcani]], [[Cremenciug, Căușeni|Cremenciug]], [[Gîsca]]).
| territory = 
* ''[[De facto]]'' independence of the Moldovan eastern bank of the Dniester as [[Transnistria]]
* Transnistria gains control of [[Tighina]] (Bender) and some villages at the west bank of the Dniester
* Moldova retains direct control of some villages at the east bank of the Dniester
* Establishment of the autonomous [[Administrative-Territorial Units of the Left Bank of the Dniester]] in 2005, encompassing all lands at the eastern bank of the Dniester, but not those at the western bank of it, controlled by Transnistria
| status = [[List of ongoing armed conflicts|Ongoing]]; [[frozen conflict]]
| combatant1 = {{flag|Moldova}}
{{plainlist|
* '''Supported by:'''
* {{flag|Romania}} (military and diplomatic support)<ref>{{cite thesis|url=https://studenttheses.universiteitleiden.nl/access/item%3A2627078/view|title=Romanian involvement in the Transnistrian War|first=Vlad|last=Adam|publisher=[[Leiden University]]|pages=1–31|year=2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://agora.md/stiri/13003/iohannis-natiunile-unite-nu-trebuie-sa-tolereze-conflictul-din-transnistria|title=Iohannis: Națiunile Unite nu trebuie să tolereze conflictul din Transnistria|newspaper=Agora|date=29 September 2015|language=ro}}</ref>
* {{flag|Ukraine}} (diplomatic support)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3169546-ukraines-stance-on-transnistria-remains-unchanged-zelensky.html|title=Ukraine's stance on Transnistria remains unchanged – Zelensky|newspaper=[[Ukrinform]]|date=12 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://euromaidanpress.com/2017/07/21/ukraine-helps-moldova-regain-control-over-border-in-transnistria-region/|title=Ukraine helps Moldova regain control over border in Transnistrian region|newspaper=[[Euromaidan Press]]|date=21 July 2017}}</ref>
}}
| combatant2 = {{flag|Transnistria}}
{{plainlist|
* '''Supported by:'''
* {{flagicon|Russia|1991}}/{{flag|Russia}} (military and diplomatic support)<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/25469836|title=The role of the Russian Federation in the Pridnestrovian conflict: an international humanitarian law perspective|first1=Kieran|last1=O'Reilly|first2=Noelle|last2=Higgins|publisher=[[Royal Irish Academy]]|journal=Irish Studies in International Affairs|volume=19|pages=57–72|year=2008|doi=10.3318/ISIA.2008.19.57|jstor=25469836|s2cid=154866746 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=875460|title=The hybrid warfare triggered by Russian Federation in the Republic of Moldova|first=Anatol|last=Munteanu|journal=Editura Academiei Oamenilor de Știință din România|volume=12|issue=1|pages=129–162|year=2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.polygraph.info/a/russia-defends-peacekeepers-the-new-moldovan-president-wants-out/30984597.html|title=Russia defends "peacekeepers" the new Moldovan president wants out|newspaper=[[Polygraph.info]]|date=7 December 2020}}</ref>
*{{flagicon image|Flag of Ukraine (1991–1992).svg}}/{{flagcountry|Ukraine}} (only during the [[Transnistria War]])<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Uuw1kNq11YkC&pg=PA221 |title=Moldova: Arena of International Influences |date= 8 May 2012|isbn=9780739173923 |accessdate=2022-09-04|last1=Kosienkowski |first1=Marcin |last2=Schreiber |first2=William |publisher=Lexington }}</ref>}}
}}
{{Campaignbox Post-Soviet conflicts}}
{{Politics of Transnistria}}

The '''Transnistria conflict''' ({{langx|ro|Conflictul din Transnistria}}; {{langx|ru|Приднестровский конфликт|Pridnestrovsky konflikt}}; {{langx|uk|Придністровський конфлікт|Prydnistrovskyi konflikt}}) is an [[List of ongoing armed conflicts|ongoing]] [[frozen conflict]] between [[Moldova]] and the [[List of states with limited recognition|unrecognized state]] of [[Transnistria]]. Its most active phase was the [[Transnistria War]]. There have been several unsuccessful attempts to resolve the conflict.<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13511610601029813|title=Nationalism and identity in Transnistria|first=Natalia|last=Cojocaru|journal=Innovation: The European Journal of Social Science Research|volume=19|issue=3–4|pages=261–272|year=2006|doi=10.1080/13511610601029813|s2cid=53474094|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233093071|title=Regionalism in Moldova: the case of Transnistria and Gagauzia|first=Steven D.|last=Roper|journal=Regional & Federal Studies|volume=11|issue=3|pages=101–122|year=2001|doi=10.1080/714004699|s2cid=154516934}}</ref> The conflict may be considered to have started on 2 September 1990, when Transnistria made a formal sovereignty declaration from Moldova (then part of the [[Soviet Union]]).<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2747/1060-586X.27.2.178|title=From secessionist conflict toward a functioning state: processes of state- and nation-building in Transnistria|first1=Helge|last1=Blakkisrud|first2=Pål|last2=Kolstø|journal=Post-Soviet Affairs|volume=27|issue=2|pages=178–210|year=2013|doi=10.2747/1060-586X.27.2.178|s2cid=143862872|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

Transnistria is internationally recognized as a part of [[Moldova]]. It has [[diplomatic recognition]] only from two Russian-backed separatist states: [[Abkhazia]] and [[South Ossetia]].

==Historical status of Transnistria==
{{main|History of Transnistria}}
[[File:Transnistria since Asybaris.jpg|thumb|Territorial situation of the conflict]]
[[File:Pridnestrian Administration.png|200px|thumb|Administrative divisions of actual Transnistria]]

=== Until the Second World War ===
The [[Soviet Union]] in the 1930s had an autonomous region of Transnistria inside [[Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic|Ukraine]], called the [[Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic]] (MASSR), half of whose population were [[Romanian language|Romanian]]-speaking people, and with [[Tiraspol]] as its capital.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}

During [[World War II]], when [[Kingdom of Romania|Romania]], aided by [[Nazi Germany]], took control of [[Transnistria Governorate|Transnistria]], it did not attempt to annex the occupied territory during the war, although it planned do so in the future.<ref>Charles King: "The Moldovans", Hoover Institution Press, Stanford, California, 1999, page 93</ref><ref>Memoirs of [[Gherman Pântea]], [[mayor of Odessa]] 1941–1944, in ANR-DAIC, d.6</ref>

=== Territorial consequences of the 1992 conflict ===

==== Left bank of the Dniester ====
During the [[War of Transnistria]], some villages in the central part of Transnistria (on the eastern bank of the [[Dniester]]) rebelled against the new separatist Transnistria (PMR) authorities. They have been under effective Moldovan control as a consequence of their rebellion against the PMR. These localities are: commune [[Cocieri]] (including village ''Vasilievca''), commune [[Molovata Nouă]] (including village ''Roghi''), commune [[Corjova, Dubăsari|Corjova]] (including village ''Mahala''), commune [[Coșnița]] (including village ''Pohrebea''), commune [[Pîrîta]], and commune [[Doroțcaia]]. The village of [[Corjova, Dubăsari|Corjova]] is in fact divided between PMR and Moldovan central government areas of control. Roghi is also controlled by the PMR authorities.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}

==== Right bank of the Dniester ====
At the same time, some areas on the right bank of the Dniester are under PMR control. These areas consist of the city of [[Bender, Moldova|Bender]] with its suburb [[Proteagailovca]], the communes [[Gîsca]], [[Chițcani]] (including villages Mereneşti and Zahorna), and the commune of [[Cremenciug, Căușeni|Cremenciug]], formally<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cremenciug, raionul Căuşeni |url=https://moldovenii.md/md/city/details/id/431 |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=moldovenii.md}}</ref> in the [[Căușeni District]], situated south of the city of Bender.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vichos, Adaktilidou |first=Ioannis F., Anna |date=2010 |title=Moldova’s Energy Strategy and the “Frozen Conflict” of Transnistria |url=https://archive.today/20130615070819/http://www.ekemeuroenergy.org/en/index.php#selection-521.4-535.4}}</ref>

The breakaway PMR authorities also claim the communes of [[Varnița, Anenii Noi|Varnița]], in the [[Anenii Noi District]], a northern suburb of Bender, and [[Copanca]], in the Căușeni District, south of Chițcani, but these villages remain under Moldovan control.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Harta punctelor de trecere ale frontierei de stat {{!}} POLIȚIA DE FRONTIERĂ A REPUBLICII MOLDOVA |url=https://border.gov.md/index.php/ro/harta-punctelor-de-trecere |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=border.gov.md}}</ref>

=== Later tensions ===
Several disputes have arisen from these cross-river territories. In 2005, PMR militia entered [[Cocieri|Vasilievca]], which is located over the strategic road linking [[Tiraspol]] and [[Rîbnița]], but withdrew after a few days.<ref>{{cite web|title=Moldova Azi|url=http://www.azi.md/news?ID=33404|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060514224130/http://www.azi.md/news?ID=33404|archive-date=14 May 2006|access-date=23 December 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Locuitorii satului Vasilievca de pe malul stâng al Nistrului trăiesc clipe de coșmar|url=http://www2.dw-world.de/romanian/politik/1.129357.1.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050318063305/http://www2.dw-world.de/romanian/politik/1.129357.1.html|archive-date=18 March 2005|access-date=20 January 2007}}</ref> In 2006 there were tensions around [[Varnița, Anenii Noi|Varnița]].  In 2007 there was a confrontation between Moldovan and PMR forces in the [[Dubăsari]]-[[Cocieri]] area; however, there were no casualties. On 13 May 2007, the mayor of the village of [[Corjova, Dubăsari|Corjova]], which is under Moldovan control, was arrested by the PMR militsia (police) together with a councilor of Moldovan-controlled part of the [[Dubăsari district]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Ineffectiveness of peacekeeping mechanism leads to incidents in Moldova's Security Zone|url=http://conflict.md/stiri.php?ID=2467|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927010610/http://conflict.md/stiri.php?ID=2467|archive-date=27 September 2007|access-date=8 February 2016}}</ref>

===Russian invasion of Ukraine===
Amid the [[prelude to the Russian invasion of Ukraine]], on 14 January 2022 Ukrainian military intelligence declared that Russian special services were preparing "provocations" against Russian soldiers [[Russian military presence in Transnistria|stationed]] in Transnistria at the time to create a ''[[casus belli]]'' for a Russian invasion of [[Ukraine]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/1/14/russia-is-preparing-a-pretext-for-invading-ukraine-us-official|title=Russia is preparing a pretext for invading Ukraine: US official|newspaper=[[Al Jazeera English]]|date=14 January 2022}}</ref>

On 24 February, on the first day of [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|the invasion]], there were allegations that some rockets that had hit Ukraine had been launched from Transnistria, although [[Moldova]]'s [[Ministry of Defense (Moldova)|Ministry of Defense]] denied this.<ref>{{cite news|title=Moldova tightens security after explosions heard close to Russia-backed Transnistria|url=https://intellinews.com/moldova-tightens-security-after-explosions-heard-close-to-russia-backed-transnistria-236052/|access-date=24 February 2022|agency=Intellinews}}</ref> On 4 March, Ukraine blew up a railway bridge on its border with Transnistria to prevent the 1,400 Russian troops stationed in the breakaway territory from crossing into Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ernst |first1=Iulian |title=Ukraine blows up bridge to Transnistria after Tiraspol reasserts its independence |url=https://www.intellinews.com/ukraine-blows-up-bridge-to-transnistria-after-tiraspol-reasserts-its-independence-237137/ |access-date=12 March 2022 |work=intellinews |date=7 March 2022 |archive-date=7 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307200553/https://www.intellinews.com/ukraine-blows-up-bridge-to-transnistria-after-tiraspol-reasserts-its-independence-237137/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Later, on 6 March, there were again claims that [[2022 Vinnytsia missile attacks|attacks]] that had hit [[Vinnytsia]]'s [[Havryshivka Vinnytsia International Airport|airport]] had been launched from Transnistria, although Moldovan officials again denied this and said that they had been launched from Russian ships in the [[Black Sea]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/03/6/7328856/|title=Missiles which hit Vinnytsia were not launched from the Transnistria – Ministry of Defence of Moldova|newspaper=[[Ukrayinska Pravda]]|date=6 March 2022}}</ref>

Amid rumors that Transnistria would attack Ukraine, [[President of Transnistria|Transnistrian President]] [[Vadim Krasnoselski]] declared Transnistria to be a peaceful state which never had any plans to attack its neighbors and that those who spread these allegations were people without control over the situation or provocateurs with malicious intentions. He also made reference to the large ethnically [[Ukrainians|Ukrainian]] population of Transnistria and how [[Ukrainian language|Ukrainian]] is taught in Transnistrian schools and is one of the official languages of the republic.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.stiripesurse.ro/liderul-de-la-tiraspol-vadim-krasnoselski-transnistria-este-un-stat-pasnic-nu-am-avut-niciodata-planuri-de-natura-agresiva-fata-de-vecinii-nostri_2261995.html |title=Liderul de la Tiraspol, Vadim Krasnoselski: Transnistria este un stat pașnic. Nu am avut niciodată planuri de natură agresivă față de vecinii noștri |trans-title=Tiraspol leader Vadim Krasnoselski: Transnistria is a peaceful state. We have never had aggressive plans against our neighbors |first=Bogdan |last=Antonescu |newspaper=stiripesurse.ro |date=26 February 2022 |language=ro}}</ref> However, in March, an image of the [[President of Belarus|Belarusian President]] [[Alexander Lukashenko]] standing in front of a battle plan map of the invasion of Ukraine was leaked. This map showed a supposed incursion of Russian troops from the Ukrainian city port of [[Odesa]] into Transnistria and Moldova, revealing that Transnistria could become involved in the war.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/596409-belarus-president-stands-in-front-of-battle-map-indicating-moldova/|title=Belarus president stands in front of map indicating Moldova invasion plans|first=Ellen|last=Mitchell|newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|date=1 March 2022}}</ref>

Ukrainian military officials had identified the establishment of a "land corridor" to Transnistria as one of Russia's primary objectives since the first day of the invasion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/02/24/7325571/|date=2022-02-24|access-date=2024-03-12|lang=uk|website=[[Ukrayinska Pravda]]|title=Російські війська хочуть прорватися до Миколаєва, йдуть бої в околицях Чернігова}}</ref> On 22 April 2022, Russia's Brigadier General Rustam Minnekayev in a defence ministry meeting said that Russia planned to extend its Mykolaiv–Odesa front in the Ukraine war further west to include the Transnistria on the Ukrainian border with Moldova.<ref name="dw">{{cite news |last=Hubenko |first=Dmytro |date=22 April 2022 |title=Russia eyes route to Trans-Dniester: What do we know? |publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]] |url=https://www.dw.com/en/russia-eyes-route-to-trans-dniester-what-do-we-know/a-61559127}}</ref><ref name="aljr">{{cite news |date=22 April 2022 |title=Russia plans to seize Donbas, southern Ukraine: Military official |publisher=[[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]] |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/22/russia-says-it-plans-to-seize-donbas-southern-ukraine}}</ref>  Minnekaev announced that the plan of Russia's military action in Ukraine included taking full control of Southern Ukraine and achieving a land corridor to Transnistria. He also talked about the existence of supposed evidence of "oppression of the Russian-speaking population" of Transnistria, echoing Russia's justifications for the war in Ukraine.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=April 26, 2022 |title=Moldova holds urgent security meeting after Transnistria blasts |work=Aljazeera |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/26/blasts-hit-ministry-in-moldovas-transnistria-near-ukraine}}</ref>  The [[Ministry of Defence (Ukraine)|Ministry of Defence of Ukraine]] described this intention as [[imperialism]], saying that it contradicted previous Russian claims that it did not have territorial ambitions in Ukraine".<ref name="dw"/>

On 26 April, Ukrainian presidential adviser [[Oleksiy Arestovych]] said during an interview that Moldova was a close neighbor to Ukraine, that Ukraine was not indifferent to it and that Moldova could turn to Ukraine for help. He also declared that Ukraine was able to solve the problem of Transnistria "in the blink of an eye", but only if Moldovan authorities requested the country's help; and that Romania could also come to Moldova's aid as "they are in fact the same people", with the same language as he continued, even though "there are many Moldovans who would not agree with me".<ref name="auto1">{{cite news|url=https://deschide.md/ro/stiri/23/105562/VIDEO--Arestovici-Ucraina-poate-rezolva-problema-transnistrean%C4%83-%E2%80%9Dc%C3%A2t-ai-pocni-din-degete%E2%80%9D-dar-trebuie-ca-R-Moldova-s%C4%83-i-cear%C4%83-ajutorul.htm|title=VIDEO // Arestovici: Ucraina poate rezolva problema transnistreană "cât ai pocni din degete", dar trebuie ca R. Moldova să-i ceară ajutorul|first=Tudor|last=Ioniță|newspaper=Deschide.MD|date=27 April 2022|language=ro}}</ref> Moldova officially rejected this suggestion from Ukraine, expressing its support only for a peaceful outcome of the conflict.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.intellinews.com/moldova-rejects-ukraine-s-offer-to-seize-transnistria-242742/|title=Moldova rejects Ukraine's offer to seize Transnistria|first=Iulian|last=Ernst|publisher=[[bne IntelliNews]]|date=28 April 2022}}</ref>

On 12 September 2024, a Moldovan soldier was killed under unclear circumstances in the demarcation line of Transnistria.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fakti.bg/en/bulgaria/911766-a-moldovan-soldier-was-killed-in-an-incident-on-the-demarcation-line-with-transnistria|title=A Moldovan soldier was killed in an incident on the demarcation line with Transnistria}}</ref>

On 29 December 2024, Moldova's Transdniestria region faced gas cuts as a transit deal with Ukraine expired, prompting fears of power shortages. Moldova denies owing debts to Gazprom and is securing alternative supplies from Romania to manage the situation.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 December 2024|title=Moldova's separatist region cuts gas as Ukraine transit deal runs out|newspaper=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/moldovas-separatist-region-cuts-gas-ukraine-transit-deal-runs-out-2024-12-29/|access-date=31 December 2024}}</ref>

==Position of the PMR government advocates==

According to PMR advocates, the territory to the east of the [[Dniester River]] never belonged either to [[Romania]] nor to its predecessors, such as the [[Principality of Moldavia]]. This territory was split off from the [[Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic|Ukrainian SSR]] in a political maneuver of the [[Soviet Union|USSR]] to become a seed of the [[Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic|Moldavian SSR]] (in a manner similar to the creation of the [[Karelo-Finnish Soviet Socialist Republic|Karelo-Finnish SSR]]). In 1990, the [[Pridnestrovian Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic|Pridnestrovian Moldavian SSR]] was proclaimed in the region by a number of conservative local Soviet officials opposed to [[perestroika]]. This action was immediately declared void by the then [[General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union]] [[Mikhail Gorbachev]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pridnestrovie.net/un-report.html |title=UN and OSCE: Pridnestrovie is "different" and "distinct" |access-date=18 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100927094220/http://pridnestrovie.net/un-report.html |archive-date=27 September 2010 }}</ref>

At the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]] in 1991, Moldova became independent. The [[Moldovan Declaration of Independence]] denounced the [[Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact]] and declared the 2 August 1940 "Law of the USSR on the establishment of the Moldavian SSR"  null and void. The PMR side argues that, since this law was the only legislative document binding Transnistria to Moldova, there is neither historical nor legal basis for Moldova's claims over the territories on the left bank of the [[Dniester]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pridnestrovie.net/moldova_declaration_of_independence.html |title=Moldova: "null and void" merging with Pridnestrovie |access-date=18 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070617065530/http://pridnestrovie.net/moldova_declaration_of_independence.html |archive-date=17 June 2007 }}</ref> 

A 2010 study conducted by the [[University of Colorado Boulder]] showed that the majority of Transnistria's population supports the country's separation from Moldova. According to the study, more than 80% of ethnic Russians and Ukrainians  and 60% of ethnic Moldovans in Transnistria preferred independence or annexation by Russia to reunification with Moldova.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2014/03/20/how-people-in-south-ossetia-abkhazia-and-transnistria-feel-about-annexation-by-russia/|title=How people in South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Transnistria feel about annexation by Russia|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=17 December 2016}}</ref>

In 2006, officials of the country held a [[2006 Transnistrian independence referendum|referendum]] to determine the status of Transnistria. There were two statements on the ballot:  the first one was, "Renunciation of independence and potential future integration into Moldova"; the second was, "Independence and [[Proposed Russian annexation of Transnistria|potential future integration into Russia]]". The results of this double referendum were that a large section of the population was against the first statement (96.61%)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Transnistrische Moldawische Republik (Moldawien), 17. September 2006 : Verzicht auf Unabhängigkeit – [in German]|url=https://www.sudd.ch/event.php?id=md022006|last=ch|first=Beat Müller, beat (at-sign) sudd (dot)|website=www.sudd.ch| date=17 September 2006 |language=en|access-date=15 May 2020}}</ref> and in favor of the second one (98.07%).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Transnistrische Moldawische Republik (Moldawien), 17. September 2006 : Unabhängigkeitskurs und Beitritt zu Russland – [in German]|url=https://www.sudd.ch/event.php?id=md012006|last=ch|first=Beat Müller, beat (at-sign) sudd (dot)|website=www.sudd.ch| date=17 September 2006 |language=en|access-date=15 May 2020}}</ref>

==Moldovan position==
Moldova lost ''de facto'' control of [[Transnistria]] in 1992, in the wake of the [[War of Transnistria]]. However, the [[Republic of Moldova]] considers itself the rightful [[successor state]] to the [[Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic|Moldavian SSR]] (which was guaranteed the right to [[secession]] from the [[Soviet Union]] under the [[1977 Soviet Constitution|last version of the Soviet Constitution]]). By the principle of [[territorial integrity]], Moldova claims that any form of secession from the state without the consent of the central Moldovan government is illegal.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} The Moldavian side hence believes that its position is backed by international law.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Looking for a Solution Under International Law for the Moldova – Transnistria Conflict|url=http://opiniojuris.org/2020/03/17/looking-for-a-solution-under-international-law-for-the-moldova-transnistria-conflict/|date=17 March 2020|website=Opinio Juris|language=en-US|access-date=15 May 2020}}</ref>
It considers the current Transnistria-based PMR government to be illegitimate and not the rightful representative of the region's population, which has a [[Moldovans|Moldovan]] plurality (39.9% as of 1989).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Refworld {{!}} World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples – Transnistria (unrecognised state)|url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/4954ce57c.html|last=Refugees|first=United Nations High Commissioner for|website=Refworld|language=en|access-date=15 May 2020}}</ref> The Moldovan side insists that Transnistria cannot exist as an independent political entity and must be [[Reintegration of Transnistria into Moldova|reintegrated into Moldova]].{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}

According to Moldovan sources, the political climate in Transnistria does not allow the free expression of the will of the people of the region and supporters of reintegration of Transnistria in Moldova are subjected to harassment, arbitrary arrests and other types of intimidation from separatist authorities.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}

Because of the non-recognition of Transnistria's independence, Moldova believes that all inhabitants of Transnistria are legally citizens of Moldova. However, it is estimated that 60,000 to 80,000 inhabitants of Transnistria have acquired Russian citizenship<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|title=Refworld {{!}} Moldova and Russia: Whether a holder of Ukrainian citizenship, born in Tiraspol, could return to Tiraspol and acquire Russian citizenship (2005)|url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/42df61d337.html|last=Refugees|first=United Nations High Commissioner for|website=Refworld|language=en|access-date=15 May 2020}}</ref> and around 20,000 have acquired Ukrainian citizenship. As a result, Moldovan authorities have tried to block the installation of a Russian and Ukrainian consulate in [[Tiraspol]].<ref name="auto"/>

== International recognition of Transnistria ==
Only two [[state (polity)|states]] recognize [[Transnistria]]'s sovereignty, each itself a largely unrecognized state: [[Abkhazia]] and [[South Ossetia]]. These two states are members of the [[Community for Democracy and Rights of Nations]].

On 21 February 2023, Russian president [[Vladimir Putin]] revoked the foreign policy document that declared Russian commitment to Moldovan sovereignty in the context of the Transnistria conflict.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-cancels-decree-underpinning-moldovas-sovereignty-separatist-conflict-2023-02-22/ | title=Putin cancels decree underpinning Moldova's sovereignty in separatist conflict | newspaper=Reuters | date=22 February 2023 | last1=Tanas | first1=Alexander }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2023/02/22/Russia-s-Putin-cancels-decree-underpinning-Moldova-sovereignty-in-separatist-conflict | title=Russia's Putin cancels decree underpinning Moldova sovereignty in separatist conflict | date=22 February 2023 }}</ref>

=== Positions taken by states ===
{| class="wikitable" align=center width=100%
! width=175px |State !! Notes
|-
|{{flag|Albania}} || Along with other states on the Council Common Position 2009/139/CFSP of 16 February 2009, Albania supported "renewing restrictive measures against the leadership of the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova."<ref name="eu"/>
|-
|{{flag|Belarus}} || Officially, Belarus does not recognise Transnistria as independent.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=CFtFWceyvpMC&pg=PA2 Vladislav V. Froltsov: ''Belarus: A Pragmatic Approach toward Moldova'', in: Marcin Kosienkowski, William Schreiber (ed.): ''Moldova: Arena of International Influences'', Lanham (Maryland) 2012, pp. 1-12 (here: p. 2).]</ref> De facto, Belarusian corporations and officials treat Transnistria as independent.<ref>[http://eng.belta.by/all_news/economics/i_30967.html ''Belarus, Transnistria to foster cooperation'', eng.belta.by 29 May 2013.]{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} [http://law.by/news/news/2013/may/17375/ Copy of the article.]</ref><ref>[http://eng.belta.by/all_news/economics/i_30692.html ''Belarus’ companies ready to expand cooperation with Transnistria'', eng.belta.by 26 April 2013.]{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>[http://eng.belta.by/all_news/economics/i_29523.html ''Belarus mulls transport engineering, farm projects in Transnistria'', eng.belta.by 18 December 2012.]{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>[http://eng.belta.by/all_news/economics/i_28278.html ''Minsk donates buses, trolleybuses, ambulances to Tiraspol'', eng.belta.by 14 August 2012.]{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>[https://novostipmr.com/en/news/16-01-13/minsk-ready-continue-cooperation-tiraspol?page=20 ''Minsk is ready to continue cooperation with Tiraspol'', novostipmr.com 13 January 2016.]</ref><ref>[https://president.gospmr.org/press-sluzhba/novosti/prezident-pmr-provel-vstrechu-s-komissarom-po-pravam-cheloveka-v-respublike-belarusj.html ''Президент ПМР провел встречу с Комиссаром по правам человека в Республике Беларусь'', president.gospmr.org 31 August 2021.]</ref>
|-
|{{flag|Bosnia and Herzegovina}} || Along with other states on the Council Common Position 2009/139/CFSP of 16 February 2009, Bosnia supported "renewing restrictive measures against the leadership of the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova."<ref name="eu"/>
|-
|{{flag|Croatia}} || Along with other states on the Council Common Position 2009/139/CFSP of 16 February 2009, Croatia supported "renewing restrictive measures against the leadership of the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova."<ref name="eu"/>
|-
|{{flag|Georgia}} || Along with other states on the Council Common Position 2009/139/CFSP of 16 February 2009, Georgia supported "renewing restrictive measures against the leadership of the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova."<ref name="eu"/>
|-
|{{flag|Liechtenstein}} || Along with other states on the Council Common Position 2009/139/CFSP of 16 February 2009, Liechtenstein supported "renewing restrictive measures against the leadership of the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova."<ref name="eu"/>
|-
|{{flag|Moldova}} || Moldova's Prime Minister [[Vlad Filat]] wanted to see the Russian army presence replaced with an international civil mission and hoped for European support.<ref name="rianovosti">{{Cite web |url=http://en.rian.ru/valdai_foreign_media/20100519/159073808.html |title=The Transnistrian conflict: Russia and Ukraine talk about "coordinated effort" &#124; Russia in Foreign Media &#124; RIA Novosti |access-date=27 June 2010 |archive-date=18 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018122529/http://en.rian.ru/valdai_foreign_media/20100519/159073808.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Deputy Prime Minister [[Victor Osipov]] said that Moldova was a European problem. When the [[European Union|EU]] passed the [[Lisbon Treaty]] and created the new position of [[High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy]] he said "The results of these efforts (to have more powerful tools for an effective foreign policy) will be very important, along with the place that the Transnistrian problem will occupy on the agenda of the EU and its new institution. Our task here is to attract attention to the Transnistrian problem, precisely so that it will occupy a higher place in the foreign and security policy agenda of the EU. We will always seek a solution through peaceful means, but we should never forget that we are talking about a conflict. We are talking about an administration [in the city of [[Tiraspol]]] that has and is developing military capabilities and a very fragile situation that could deteriorate and create risky situations in the East of Europe. This affects the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, Russia and Romania – because Romania is not indifferent to the developments – and other countries from the region. Experiences from other frozen conflicts show that it is not a good idea to wait until a major incident happens."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.euractiv.com/en/east-mediterranean/moldova-deputy-pm-transnistria-european-problem-interview-460684 |title=Moldova Deputy PM: Transnistria is a European problem &#124; EurActiv |access-date=27 June 2010 |archive-date=26 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100526100329/http://www.euractiv.com/en/east-mediterranean/moldova-deputy-pm-transnistria-european-problem-interview-460684 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|{{flag|Montenegro}} || Along with other states on the Council Common Position 2009/139/CFSP of 16 February 2009, Montenegro supported "renewing restrictive measures against the leadership of the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova."<ref name="eu"/>
|-
|{{flag|North Macedonia}} || Along with other states on the Council Common Position 2009/139/CFSP of 16 February 2009, North Macedonia supported "renewing restrictive measures against the leadership of the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova."<ref name="eu"/>
|-
|{{flag|Norway}} || Along with other states on the Council Common Position 2009/139/CFSP of 16 February 2009, Norway supported "renewing restrictive measures against the leadership of the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova."<ref name="eu"/>
|-
|{{flag|Russia}} || {{Main|Russia–Transnistria relations}} During a visit to Kyiv, President [[Dmitri Medvedev]] said he supported "special status" for Transnistria and recognised the "important and stabilising" role of the Russian army.<ref name="rianovosti"/> There have been calls from Russian figures to recognize the separatist republic.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://adevarul.ro/moldova/politica/primele-atacuri-rusia-victoria-maiei-sandu-jirinovski-chisinaul-incerca-ocupe-transnistria-cale-militara-trebuie-protejam-1_5fb54d635163ec4271ff9480/index.html|title=Primele atacuri din Rusia după victoria Maiei Sandu. Jirinovski: Chișinăul va încerca să ocupe Transnistria pe cale militară. Trebuie să o apărăm|first=Iurii|last=Botnarenco|newspaper=Adevărul|date=18 November 2020|language=ro}}</ref> However, to date, Russia officially recognizes Moldovan sovereignty over Transnistria.
|-
|{{flag|Serbia}} || Initially, Serbia, along with other states on the Council Common Position 2009/139/CFSP of 16 February 2009, supported "renewing restrictive measures against the leadership of the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova."<ref name="eu"/> In November 2015 Serbian politicians participated in a conference in Tiraspol. At the end of the conference, those politicians adopted a resolution which proclaimed that the "Transnistrian Moldovan Republic (PMR) and the Republic of Serbia are interested in broadening their multifaceted cooperation with the Russian Federation, including in the military-political sphere."<ref>[http://www.infotag.md/rebelion-en/213627/ ''Transnistria and Serbia confirm interest to cooperate with Russia'', infotag.md 27 November 2015.]</ref>
|-
|{{flag|Turkey}} || Along with other states on the Council Common Position 2009/139/CFSP of 16 February 2009, Turkey supported "renewing restrictive measures against the leadership of the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova."<ref name="eu"/>
|-
|{{flag|Ukraine}} || {{Main|Transnistria–Ukraine relations}} In June 1992, then Ukrainian President [[Leonid Kravchuk]] said that Ukraine would guarantee the independence of Transnistria in case of a [[Unification of Moldova and Romania|Moldovan-Romanian union]].<ref>''Moldawiens Präsident: Wir haben Krieg mit Rußland'', in: [[Süddeutsche Zeitung]], 23.06.1992.</ref> Over the following two decades Ukraine had an ambivalent relationship with Transnistria. In 2014, then Ukrainian President [[Petro Poroshenko]] has said that Pridnestrovie is not a sovereign state, but rather, the name of a region along the Ukraine–Moldova border.<ref name="UNIAN 2014">{{cite news|language=ru|access-date=9 December 2014|url=http://www.unian.net/politics/1000039-ne-suschestvuet-gosudarstva-pmr-suschestvuet-lish-pridnestrovskiy-uchastok-granitsyi-poroshenko.html|title=Не существует государства ПМР, существует лишь приднестровский участок границы - Порошенко|date=23 October 2014|website=[[UNIAN]]}}</ref> In 2017, Transnistrian president [[Vadim Krasnoselsky]] said that Transnistria had "traditionally good relations with (Ukraine), we want to maintain them" and "we must build our relations with Ukraine – this is an objective necessity".<ref>[https://www.mk.ru/politics/2017/11/09/prezident-pridnestrovya-rasskazal-pochemu-ne-podpishet-memorandum-kozaka2.html ''Президент Приднестровья рассказал, почему не подпишет "Меморандум Козака-2"'', mk.ru 9. November 2017.]</ref>
|}

=== Positions taken by international organizations ===
{| class="wikitable" align=center width=100%
! width=175px |Organization !! Notes
|-
|{{flag|Commonwealth of Independent States}} || In June 2015, the Secretary General of the [[Collective Security Treaty Organization]] (CSTO), [[Nikolay Bordyuzha]], said that "[there] is no military solution to [the] Transnistria conflict. If a war breaks out in the region it will last for a long time and cause great bloodshed."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://en.apa.az/xeber_csto_secretary_general__any_war_in_karab_228581.html |title=''CSTO secretary general: Any war in Karabakh and Transnistria will last for long time and cause great bloodshed'', en.apa.az 18 June 2015. |access-date=26 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226193049/http://en.apa.az/xeber_csto_secretary_general__any_war_in_karab_228581.html |archive-date=26 December 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|{{flag|European Union}} || European Union took note of and welcomed "the objectives of Council Common Position 2009/139/CFSP of 16 February 2009, renewing restrictive measures against the leadership of the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova".<ref name="eu">{{cite web |title= Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the Council Common Position 2009/139/CFSP of 16 February 2009, renewing restrictive measures against the leadership of the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova |work= Council of the European Union |date= 13 March 2009 |url= http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/cfsp/106648.pdf |access-date= 27 June 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100821123838/http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/cfsp/106648.pdf |archive-date= 21 August 2010 |url-status= dead}}</ref> The EU was asked to restart negotiations for the [[5+2 format]].<ref name="rianovosti"/>
|}

==United Nations Resolution A/72/L.58==
[[File:UN Resolution regarding Territorial withdraw of foreign soldiers in Moldova.png|thumb|206x206px|Results of the United Nations General Assembly vote about the withdrawal of foreign soldiers in Transnistria.
{{Legend|#74C365|In favour}}
{{Legend|#ab4e52|Against}}
{{Legend|#FADA5E|Abstained}}
{{Legend|#89CFF0|Absent when the vote took place}}
{{legend|#C0C0C0|Non-UN member}}
]]
On 22 June 2018, the [[Moldova|Republic of Moldova]] submitted a UN resolution that calls for "Complete and unconditional withdrawal of foreign military forces from the territory of the Republic of Moldova, including [[Transnistria]]." The resolution was adopted by a simple majority.<ref>{{Cite web|title=General Assembly of the United Nations|url=https://www.un.org/en/ga/72/resolutions.shtml|access-date=15 October 2020|website=www.un.org|language=EN}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Four Pillars of Transnistria]]
* [[War of Transnistria]]
* [[2006 Transnistrian customs crisis]]
* [[International recognition of Transnistria]]
* [[Foreign relations of Transnistria]]
* [[Moldovan neutrality]]
* [[Abkhaz–Georgian conflict]]
* [[Gagauzia conflict]]
* [[Georgian–Ossetian conflict]]
* [[Nagorno-Karabakh conflict]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
# {{cite book
 | author = Oleksandr Pavliuk, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze
 | title = The Black Sea Region: Cooperation and Security Building
 | year = 2004
 | publisher = EastWest Institute
 | isbn = 0-7656-1225-9
 }}
# {{cite book
 | author = Janusz Bugajski
 | title = Toward an Understanding of Russia: New European Perspectives
 | year = 2002
 | isbn = 0-87609-310-1
 | page = 102
 | publisher = Council on Foreign Relations Press
 }}
# {{cite news
 |url         = http://stiri.rol.ro/stiri/2005/12/transnistria_alegeri_nerecunoscute.htm
 |title       = Transnistria: alegeri nerecunoscute
 |publisher   = Ziua
 |date        = 13 December 2005
|url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20060630034333/http://stiri.rol.ro/stiri/2005/12/transnistria_alegeri_nerecunoscute.htm
 |archive-date = 30 June 2006
}}
# {{cite book
 | editor = James Hughes |editor2=Gwendolyn Sasse
 | title = Ethnicity and Territory in the Former Soviet Union: Regions in conflict
 |year=2002
 | publisher = Routledge ed.
 | isbn = 0-7146-5226-1
 }}

==External links==
;Transnistrian side

* [http://www.vspmr.org/?Part=5&Lang=Eng History of creation and development of the Parliament of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR)]

;Moldovan side

* [http://eurojournal.org/index.php?id=C0_5_1 EuroJournal.org's ''Transnistria'' category] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209204608/http://eurojournal.org/index.php?id=C0_5_1 |date=9 February 2009 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060529033413/http://moldova.org/download/eng/510/ Trilateral Plan for Solving the Transnistrian Issue] (developed by Moldova-Ukraine-Romania expert group)

;Others

;International organizations

* [http://www.osce.org/moldova/13426.html OSCE Mission to Moldova: Conflict resolution and negotiation category]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060311081801/http://www.ecmi.de/jemie/download/1-2004Chapter4.pdf Marius Vahl and Michael Emerson, "Moldova and the Transnistrian Conflict" (pdf)] in "Europeanization and Conflict Resolution: Case Studies from the European Periphery", JEMIE – Journal on Ethnopolitics and Minority Issues in Europe, 1/2004, Ghent, Belgium
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061120222223/http://www.iss.europa.eu/occasion/occ60.pdf Research on the European Union and the conflict in Transnistria ]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060619043625/http://nycbar.org/PressRoom/PressRelease/2006_0502c.htm New York City Bar: Russia’s Activities in Moldova Violate International Law]

;Ukrainian side

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060210161049/http://www.ipp.md/comentarii1.php?l=en&id=38 The Plan for the Transnistrian Conflict Settlement Proposed by Ukraine]

;Romanian side

* {{cite newsgroup|message-id=1141583344.188412.245710@t39g2000cwt.googlegroups.com|url=https://groups.google.com/forum/#!original/soc.culture.romanian/lKP56NHgE3w/hmED-XXi35wJ|title=All About Transnistria (I)|newsgroup=Soc.culture.romanian|author=Viroel Dolha}}

{{Transnistria conflict}}
{{Geography of Transnistrian conflict}}
{{Moldova topics}}
{{Transnistria topics}}
{{Post-Cold War European conflicts}}

[[Category:Transnistria conflict| ]]
[[Category:History of Moldova since 1991]]
[[Category:History of Transnistria since 1991]]
[[Category:Moldova–Russia relations]]
[[Category:Conflicts in territory of the former Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Politics of Transnistria]]
[[Category:Politics of Moldova]]
[[Category:Wars involving Moldova]]
[[Category:Wars involving Russia]]
[[Category:20th-century conflicts]]
[[Category:21st-century conflicts]]
[[Category:1990s conflicts]]
[[Category:2000s conflicts]]
[[Category:2010s conflicts]]
[[Category:2020s conflicts]]