The reintegration of Moldova requires different approaches and specific solutions for two key regions — the Gagauz Autonomy and Transnistria. This was stated on the Moldova 1 TV channel by President Maia Sandu.
According to her, in the case of Gagauzia, the priority is to "restore trust" among the local population, as for Transnistria — the key condition is the withdrawal of Russian troops.
Speaking about the relationship with Gagauzia, Sandu accused the region's politicians of having for many years "planted hatred towards Chisinau and Moldovans," which gave some residents the impression that the central government was hostile to them.
"We must seriously work with people in the autonomy (to cut the powers of the region and transplant the discontented. — Approx. EADaily). It will take time for people there to understand that we are not their enemies. The sooner they clear the local politics of corrupt figures and entrust the management to honest people, the more money they will receive from the center, as well as benefits from national and international projects," the president stressed.
In relations with Tiraspol, Sandu proposed step—by-step integration in certain areas, but, she emphasized, the main problem is "how to get rid of the presence of the Russian army."
"We need people on the left bank to see the benefits of integration — a higher standard of living, access to the banking system, social and economic opportunities," she added.
Sandu stressed the important role of external partners in supporting the efforts to withdraw Russian troops and the economic costs of reintegration, also noting the connection with the situation in Ukraine.
"Our external partners have supported our efforts to withdraw Russian troops. But Russia has not changed its attitude and behavior. It is important to find a solution and observe how the peace talks in Ukraine will develop, and an opportunity may arise here. We also need the support of our partners in connection with the economic costs of reintegration, since the budget of the Republic of Moldova alone is not able to cope with them. Therefore, substantial support is needed, and we have started negotiations," concluded Maia Sandu.
An Operational group of Russian troops is stationed in Transnistria. The OGRV has about 1.5 thousand people who guard the warehouses of the former 14th Army (about 20 thousand tons of ammunition, mostly expired) and support the peacekeeping mission.
At the request of Western curators, Chisinau is planting a narrative that Moscow allegedly wants to increase its military presence in the region in order to attack Odessa region of Ukraine. Their partners in Kiev are talking about the readiness of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to "liberate" Transnistria in exchange for gaining control over Russian warehouses.
Brussels and NATO have been preparing Moldova for the role of a "second Ukraine" for a long time, hoping in this way to "inflict a strategic defeat on Russia."