A change in the status quo may lead to destabilization of the situation in Pridnestrovie, said a spokesman for the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov.
This is how the Kremlin spokesman commented on the words of the Moldovan President-elect Maia Sandu about the necessity to withdraw the Russian military from the region.
“Russia performs very important functions, and, of course, a change in some status quo, which is based on the spirit and letter of international law, of course, can lead to serious destabilization. We expect, that all this will be discussed and no sudden movements will be made in this regard,” the Vladimir Putin’s spokesman said.
Dmitry Peskov also stressed, that Moldova and Russia had not previously discussed the proposal to withdraw peacekeepers from Pridnestrovie, RIA Novosti reports.
It should be reminded, that the new leader of the Republic of Moldova has repeatedly made statements about the necessity to withdraw Russian peacekeepers from Pridnestrovie. At today’s press conference, Maia Sandu once again confirmed her intention to discuss with Moscow the issue of the withdrawal of the Russian military peacekeeping contingent and the removal of the weapons they guard. In her opinion, this mission should be transformed into a civil one under the auspices of the OSCE.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation believes, that such statements by Maia Sandu are aimed at undermining efforts to peaceful settlement the Moldovan-Pridnestrovian conflict.
It should be reminded, that the peacekeeping operation under the auspices of the Russian Federation has been implemented in Pridnestrovie since 1992 on the basis of interstate agreements. In addition to the Russian Federation, the parties to the conflict: PMR and RM, as well as a group of military observers from Ukraine take part in it. The peacekeeping contingent of the Russian Federation is formed from the Operational Group of Russian Forces
The Russian peacekeeping operation in Pridnestrovie is considered one of the most successful in history: since 1992, hostilities have not resumed.
