[우크라 침공] Why is Moldova worried… The time bomb of pro-Russian separatism

‘Like look’ with Ukraine… Declaration of independence from separatist forces on the eastern border 20 years ago

Possibility of intervention at any time… Russia and Ukraine invade after secession approval?

(New York = Yonhap News) Correspondent Ko Il-hwan = Fear of a possible Russian invasion is spreading in Moldova, an Eastern European country located between Ukraine and Romania.

After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the 7th (local time), the New York Times (NYT) reported that the people of neighboring Moldova are suffering from anxiety that they could become the next target of President Vladimir Putin.

The reason the Moldovan people are anxious is that the domestic situation is similar to that of Ukraine.

In Moldova, which was part of the former Soviet Union, pro-Russian separatist forces exist like Ukraine.

In last year’s general election in Moldova, the pro-Russian political force won the support of a third of the electorate. In particular, separatist forces on the eastern border of Moldova declared independence under the name of ‘Transnistria’ in 1992.

Although they are not recognized as a nation by the international community including the United Nations, the Russian government supports them. There are also 1,500 Russian troops stationed there.

A situation similar to that of Putin’s approval of the independence of pro-Russian separatists in the Donbas region prior to the invasion of Ukraine could happen.

In fact, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, who supports Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, at a recent security meeting revealed a map with arrows that looked like plans to invade Moldova.

The Belarusian ambassador to Moldova later apologized, saying that the map was a mistake, but the fear of the Moldovan people did not subside.

A senior official of the Moldova government also disclosed to the New York Times on the premise of anonymity that they were discussing countermeasures against the possibility that Russia might occupy Moldova.

It is explained that Moldova’s application to join the European Union (EU) last week also took into account the possibility of Russian aggression.

The US is also aware of the insecurity in Moldova.

“The United States supports the principle that Moldova’s territory must be completely preserved,” said Secretary of State Tony Blincoln, who is traveling in Europe, at a joint press conference with Moldova’s President Maia Sando on the 6th.

koman@yna.co.kr

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2022/03/08 00:30 Send