The Russian Federation uses Transnistria and Gagausion to destabilize the situation in Moldova - isw

Increased attention of Moscow to relations with Gagausion indicates that the Kremlin intends to shake the situation in Moldova. The Kremlin hopes to use Transnistria and Gagausion for hybrid operations aimed at destabilizing the situation in Moldova before negotiating its entry into the EU and the presidential election. This is stated in the report of the American Institute of War Study (ISW) for March 7.

Thus, the governor of the pro -Russian Moldovan Autonomous District Gagauzia Yevgeny Hutsul on March 7 met in Russia with the deputy head of the Russian Presidential Administration Sergiy Kiriynko and discussed "support that Russia can provide Gagauzia" and "political situation" in Moldova.

Hutsul asked Kierienko to help Gagauz to open accounts with Russian banks "for social projects", to cancel Russian embargo on imports with Gagauzi, and to help negotiate with the Russian State Energy Company "Gazprom" on gas supply to Gagauzia at a preferential price.

Hutsul also met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi on March 6, where Putin was reported "promised to support Gagauusia and the Gagauz people in protecting his legal rights, powers and positions in the international arena" "Kremlin attention on another pro -Russian region of Moldova, the separatist republic of Transnistria.

This continues to indicate that the Kremlin hopes to use both of these regions to justify hybrid operations aimed at destabilizing and further polarization of Moldova on the eve of the Moland's and Moland's negotiations. that will take place in 2024, "the institute analysts say.