Kuleba: Transdniestria Makes Us Keep Troops on the Border with Moldova

The Transdniestrian region not controlled by Chisinau, where the Russian army is deployed, is forcing Ukraine to keep troops on this section of the border with Moldova. But Kyiv will not take any action on its part, Transdniestria is a matter of Moldova’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said this on TV8’s Alternative program today. “Undoubtedly, Transdniestria on our south-western flank is a risk that makes us send forces to this section of the border, for potential deterrence and control of the situation. But I want to stress that Transdniestria, is a matter of Moldova’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. And we absolutely respect the path that the Moldovan government will choose in terms of relations with Transdniestria and reintegration of the region. We respect our neighbours. We respect Moldova and the choice of your people. You have the right to decide for yourselves how to develop your country and how to solve the Transdniestrian problem. But it's also a problem for us. I note that this is a problem in the military sense,” Kuleba said. He reiterated the position of the Ukrainian authorities that the Armed Forces will not take any initiative in relation to Transdniestria because it is Moldovan territory. Kyiv respects the territorial integrity of other countries. Regarding the warehouses in Cobasna, Kuleba noted that the attention to this facility is understandable. Now any weapon is worth its weight in gold, Russia is already reactivating Soviet war rarities, tanks of the 1950s-60s production, and sends them to the front. But the minister noted that he has no clear picture of what exactly is in that Transdniestrian warehouse and what its condition is.