Pro-Russian rebel officials in Moldova's breakaway region of Transnistria appealed to Russia for "protection" on Wednesday, amid fears the territory could become a new flashpoint in Moscow's conflict with neighboring Ukraine.

The thin sliver of land has been de facto controlled by pro-Russian forces since the collapse of the Soviet Union, but is internationally recognized as part of Moldova.

At a special congress in the region — only the seventh in its history — lawmakers passed a resolution asking Russia's parliament to "protect" Transnistria from mounting Moldovan pressure.

They said the Moldovan government in Chisinau had unleashed an "economic war" against Transnistria, blocking vital imports in the aim of turning it into a "ghetto."

"The decisions of the current congress cannot be ignored by the international community," the breakaway republic's foreign policy chief Vitaly Ignatiev told the meeting.

The resolution comes just a day before President Vladimir Putin was set to make an annual address before Russian lawmakers and as Ukraine suffers setbacks on the battlefield.

The separatist territory last held a congress in 2006, when deputies announced a referendum on integrating with Russia. The vote resulted in an overwhelming majority in favor.

The call for help from Moscow has fueled comparisons with February 2022, when Russian-backed militants in eastern Ukraine called for protection against what they said was relentless attacks and shelling by Kyiv's forces.

Delegates at the conference on Wednesday made little mention of Ukraine, according to accounts of the session in state-run media, instead aiming their ire against Moldova, who they blamed for the territory's economic woes.

A Moldovan government spokesman downplayed concerns ahead of the rare meeting.

"From Chisinau, things look calm... There is no danger of escalation and destabilization of the situation in the Transnistrian region. This is another campaign to create hysteria," they said in a post on Telegram.

Moldova has accused the Kremlin of stoking tensions in Transnistria, a primarily Russian-speaking region that depends heavily on Moscow for support.

Since Moscow began its full-scale assault on Ukraine, Chisinau has been concerned the Kremlin could use Transnistria to open a new front in the southwest, in the direction of Odesa.

The tiny region was rocked by unexplained blasts in 2022 that military analysts believe may have been a Russian attempt to drag the region into the conflict.

Then, in March 2023, Transnistria's pro-Russian leadership accused Kyiv of an assassination attempt on their leader, an accusation that Ukraine rejected.

The Kremlin has around 1,500 soldiers permanently stationed in the region, and has warned Ukraine and Moldova that attacking them would incur serious consequences.

Russia still props up Transnistria's economy with supplies of free gas, but the breakaway republic has found itself increasingly isolated from Moscow since the conflict in Ukraine.

The gathering of Transnistrian officials comes as Ukraine faces intense pressure on the frontlines, where it has recently lost ground to Russia amid mounting ammunition shortages.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Albania on Wednesday for a summit of southeastern European nations, where he was expected to renew his calls for more aid.

Source;
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.voanews.com/amp/breakaway-moldovan-region-asks-russia-for-protection-/7505956.html

Are we looking at another justification from Russia to invade and annex part of Moldova?
Just the way they did in Ukraine!

Since Russia controls the land via proxy, they should have been more specific about the "help" they need
which is free money.
Of course, they will eventually get the "help" in form of more free fuel and subsidies but Eastern Ukraine comes first.

Idiotic people want to be the new Ossetia. Killer putin really doesn't care about people, just the ones he can subjugate and torture.

This story should not have been posted because I can bet with the destiny of Nigeria that some overzealous ipob members in Russia are going to ask Russia to protect their online country from the fallen shameless giant and it weak foster mother

Mr. Putin sir, bomb them all, sir.

Self determination should be an open and easy something. Any country you feel isn't recognizing your region even as a member, you can seek for referendum and go your way. No matter how small you're

B

The only thing I like about Putin is that he is a force that checkmates the western world especially USA.

All of them dey fear am die. All of them even gather together to form NATO and dem still no reach?

Strong man.

When the war start whey US and other European countries gave Russia several economic sanctions, I no believe say Russia go still stand today with the propaganda the west spread that time.

Chai..


Russia, another big Daddy after the US.



With Russia, Nigeria can exterminate terrorism.

...because with the US, nothing has ever happened.

It’s nothing new , but watch how some people who hate Russia for no reason will start blaming them. So many islands seek protection from the west .

Big Bear 🐻

I wont be surprised if Peter obi reacts to this news.

Our Ipob brothers will gladly praise their step son Putin

Interesting

Put it in, take it out, putitinow

Mother Russia coming to save y'all. You have nothing to fear. Once Russia accepts them as part of Russia, dem no born Moldova or NATO to do any how to them.

Another west and Russia debate by nairaland sentimental war mongers ..

I'm surprised it hasn't gotten to page six by now, I'm impressed ...

Botragelad:
Are we looking at another justification from Russia to invade and annex part of Moldova?
Just the way they did in Ukraine!

Invasion and annexation should be condemned be it in Moldova, or in Palestine.

But the said Russia is a villain

Thank God there are no Russian Regions in Africa
As for Bukina Faso Niger and Mali, they are soon coming back home to their daddy

The break away region of Moldova shouldn't worry very soon Putin will create land bridge between Russia mainland through Odesa.

Did I just read a line that states ...as Ukraine suffers setbacks on the battlefield?

When did Ukraine begin suffering setbacks on the battlefield? I thought Ukraine is winning and Russia has run out of missiles and is fighting with shovels and microchips removed from washing machines. So how is Russia beating Ukraine with shovels and washing machines?

And you guys said something about Putin having cancer and being at the point of death a year or two ago. Baba Putin is still alive o

As for this news, Transnistria has always identified as an independent state. It has also had series of elections and every single time, those wanting it to be an independent have always won. Transnistria has also made it clear that it will become a part of Russia even if it were to join a country.

So folks, Transnistria does not want to be with Moldova and its wishes has to be respected. Or do states no longer have the right to self-determination anymore?

Ok

The Ethnic German Czechs did exactly this with Hitler and Germany.
Hitler and Germany then used that as an excuse to invade and Occupy all of Czechoslovakia
by the time the second World War was over the Czechoslovakian's had chased all Ethnic German Czechs out of the Country back to Germany and till today as we speak have taken over all their Lands for good

Case Closed

Good one