Peskov: Arestovych's Statement on Transdniestria Is Provocative

The adviser to the head of the Ukrainian presidential office said that the Armed Forces of Ukraine may take control of the territory of Transdniestria in case of Moldova's appeal. The Kremlin considers the words of the Kyiv representative about the possible seizure of Transdniestria by Ukrainian forces to be quite provocative. Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday, tass.ru reports "Quite provocative. That's all I can say," Peskov stressed, responding to a question about how the Kremlin views the words of Oleksiy Arestovych, an adviser to the head of the Ukrainian presidential office, that the Ukrainian armed forces could take control of Transdniestrian territory if Moldova appeals. Arestovych, answering the question "Is Ukraine able to take and seize Transdniestria?" claimed that "they  can manage" "This is the territory of sovereign Moldova, we can't allow even this kind of statement. Only upon a request from the Moldovan side," he said. Then his interlocutor - Mark Feygin - noted that "the discussion is theoretical" and specified "how much force would it take to just take over Tiraspol?" Arestovych replied  "we can manage it if we have to." Point