Russia is fully ready to resume negotiations on the settlement of the Transnistria conflict, according to Oleg Ozerov, Russia’s ambassador
The diplomat met on Thursday with Vadim Krasnoselsky, the leader of the self-proclaimed Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, during a visit to Tiraspol.
During the talks, the two sides discussed issues related to maintaining peace, security and stability in the region. Both agreed on the need to restart negotiations within the 5+2 negotiation format, the international framework used for the settlement process.
Ozerov reiterated that Russia continues to support the principle of the territorial integrity of Moldova and sees no obstacles to resuming negotiations. According to the ambassador, the main problem lies in the position of the authorities in Chișinău, whom he accused of ignoring peace initiatives and putting forward unacceptable demands.
He also argued that the Moldovan government is attempting to exclude Russia from the peacekeeping process, which he said contradicts the 1992 Agreement on the Principles of Peaceful Settlement of the Transnistrian Conflict.
“We are repeatedly told, with persistence that could be put to better use, that the current settlement format ‘does not work.’ But did Russia break it? No — Russia supports it. What we do not see is a strong desire from the Moldovan side,” the diplomat said.
