Sergei Shoigu warned that more than 220,000 Russian citizens in Moldova's breakaway Transdniestria face threats and said Moscow will take all necessary steps to protect them. He told Komsomolskaya Pravda that Russia is reviewing all possible scenarios while hoping the worst can be avoided. Talks between Chisinau and Tiraspol recently stalled after Moldova barred commanders of a 1,500‑strong Russian peacekeeping contingent and proposed extending customs duties and VAT to the enclave. Shoigu accused Moldovan authorities of blocking negotiations and limiting residents' participation in votes, but said a settlement remains possible with goodwill and proper conditions.
Shoigu Warns Moscow Will Protect Russians In Moldova’s Breakaway Transdniestria
Russia's Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu attends the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, November 28, 2024. REUTERS/Turar Kazangapov
Sergei Shoigu, secretary of Russia's Security Council, warned on April 21 that the safety of Russian citizens living in Moldova's breakaway Transdniestria is under threat and said Moscow will take all necessary measures to protect them.
Transdniestria separated from Moldova before the collapse of the Soviet Union and, after a brief war in 1992, has existed as a de facto independent, Russian‑speaking enclave for more than three decades. The narrow, landlocked territory borders Ukraine and hosts a long‑standing contingent of Russian peacekeepers.
Shoigu's Warning
In an interview with the Russian daily Komsomolskaya Pravda, Shoigu said Moscow was prepared to use "all available methods" within the constitution to defend more than 220,000 Russian citizens in the region. He said officials were reviewing a full range of scenarios — including some unlikely ones — but that Russia hoped developments would not follow "the most negative of scenarios."
"It must not be forgotten that more than 220,000 Russian citizens live in Transdniestria. Their interests and safety are now under threat due to the ill‑considered and irresponsible actions of Kyiv and Chisinau," Shoigu told the newspaper.
Stalled Talks And Rising Tensions
Negotiators from Chisinau and Tiraspol met last week but made no progress toward a settlement. The impasse follows a Moldovan decision to bar entry to commanders of a 1,500‑strong contingent of Russian "peacekeepers" that have stood between the sides since 1992. Transdniestria also rejects Chisinau's plan to extend customs duties and value‑added tax (VAT) to the enclave.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu has stated her aim to lead the country into the European Union by 2030 and has said that accession efforts can continue even without resolving the Transdniestria dispute.
Shoigu accused Chisinau of obstructing talks and of preventing some residents from participating in elections and in a 2024 referendum that, he said, narrowly backed joining the EU. At the same time, he left open the possibility of a negotiated settlement if there is sufficient political will and proper conditions.
Reporting by Maxim Rodionov and Ron Popeski; writing by Anna Peverieri; editing by Gareth Jones and Andrea Ricci.
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