Ukrainian expert: Russia “destroys” negotiation format “5+2” in Transdnestr settlement

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Russia is practically destroying the “5+2” format (Transdnestr and Moldova as the parties, Ukraine, Russia and the OSCE as mediators, the EU and the USA as observers — REGNUM) in the Transdnestr conflict settlement, because within its frameworks Russia acts as an equal force, but not the predominant one, the head of the Ukrainian Institute for Foreign Policy Studies Grigory Prepelitsa said yesterday at an international conference called “Transdnestr Conflict Settlement in the Context of Europeization of the Republic of Moldova.”

“It is not of Russia’s interest to recognize Transdnestr, it contradicts to the re-integration scenario; it is a fact already. But Russia is not interested in Transdnestr integration with Moldova,” Prepelitsa said.

The Ukrainian expert casts doubts that the two banks of the Dnestr River will soon unite, because interests of the Chisinau elite conflict with interests of Transdnestr, while in the united country Chisinau will have to share its key roles and positions with the current Tiraspol leadership. “When you give away such powerful authorities, you must be prepared to the fact that in your economic development and European integration you will have to be guided by Tiraspol’s successes instead of Chisinau’s successes,” Prepelitsa said, drawing parallels with the situation the Ukrainian leadership is now facing in Crimea.