President Shevchuk is on a working visit to the capital of Russia. In an interview with Russian journalists, the president noted that over a year ago Ukraine had begun to review its attitude towards Pridnestrovie.
«To some extent, we consider it as attempts to put pressure on Russia rather than Pridnestrovie, taking into account that about 200,000 Russian citizens reside in Pridnestrovie. Our transport infrastructure has been blocked; we cannot virtually export our production. Only via Moldova. Male citizens of Russia are not admitted to Ukraine. Ukraine has prohibited the transportation of excisable goods through several customs stations, which has affected our budget. On the whole, the situation is tense," said Yevgeny Shevchuk.
Besides, according to the head of state, Ukraine had deployed 2,000 more troops near Ukraine's border with Pridnestrovie. «It is causing additional tension. It turns out that both Moldova and Ukraine take a number of actions to downgrade our economic potential," noted Yevgeny Shevchuk, adding that the blockade of Pridestrovie had been underway since 2006, which has inexorably affected its economy.
«In fact, these sanctions lead to the impoverishment of our citizens. They are trying to take advantage of expanding poverty to destabilise the political situation in the region. All these techniques are known. And under these circumstances the republic survives thanks to Russia's assistance, thanks to the concern of the Russian leadership and all Russian citizens, thanks to the protection of the Russian peacekeepers," said the president.
