Transnistria, Russian troops and energy. Meeting of Sandu and Zelensky in Kyiv

The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy wishes the territories of Ukraine and Moldova had no Russian troops, opposes federalization and suggested to allow citizens of both countries to cross border using identity cards. He said this at a briefing on June 11 following a meeting with Prime Minister Maia Sandu. The Prime Minister of Moldova, in turn, said that she expects mutually beneficial and close cooperation in the field of environmental problems of the Dniester, and that Moldova will soon be free from the “shadow of oligarchic capture” and will be able to fully develop cooperation with Ukraine. The President of Ukraine said at a press conference that Moldova and Ukraine are united by a common desire to have no Russian troops in territories of both countries. Zelenskyy opposed the plans of federalization of both countries and promised that Ukraine would take an active part in the Transnistrian settlement. “As for the protection of sovereignty and security in the region, our positions are united,” Zelensky said.   According to Zelensky, the parties discussed

• interconnection of power systems with European systems;
• extradition of Ukrainian judge Chaus;
• "Differentiated approach" to the functioning of the Ukrainian script schools in Moldova;
• State border crossing using internal ID cards of citizens.

Sandu began her speech with a few phrases in Ukrainian. “We support the territorial integrity of Ukraine. I feel deep respect for the Ukrainian soldiers who defended the territorial integrity of Ukraine,” Sandu said. Then the Prime Minister switched into English. “President Zelensky and I discussed three blocks of issues: regional security, European integration, construction of reliable and functional state structures,” Sandu said. Moldova, according to her, only a few weeks ago began “to get rid of the shadow of the oligarch who controlled all state structures”. Sandu said that Moldova hoped to cooperate in the environmental problem around the Dniester. Newsmaker