Breakaway region in Europe asks Russia for protection

Pro-Russian rebels in Transnistria, a separatist sliver of Moldova, have asked President Vladimir Putin to protect their region from what they claim are threats from Moldova’s government.

Transnistria, which illegally split from Moldova as the Soviet Union crumbled, has remained firmly within the Kremlin’s orbit while Moldova, which borders Ukraine, is bidding to join the European Union.

#Russia #Ukraine #CNN #News

[gamelot]

Hitler used similar arguments about "protecting Germans" in places like Czechoslovakia, Austria and Poland.

[Andrewjenkin-ktjq]

Here we go. This is poland in 1939 all over again

[Akenfelds]

It's not a "breakaway region". A territory isn't a breakway region just because Putin could round up enough criminals in the area to form an undemocratic tyrannical regime no matter what the locals want.

[ThisPartIsAndrew]

Many in the intelligence community have been indicating Moldova as the next target. Vampire Army Activated.

[maxenceberiou]

Transnistria sounds like a made up contry in the marvel universe where dr.doom was born.

[BeYourselfMan]

In other words, the installed seperatists are giving the green light for another annexation.

[john_doe_not_found]

If Transnistria calls for help, it gives Russia a pretext to transport more troops to Transnistria. 1500 current troops are not enough to do anything. But if Russia could get 20, 000 - 50, 000 inside Transnistria under the guise of "peace keeping", it could then open another front to engage Ukraine.

edit: Isn't Transnistria mostly farmland and industry along a major river? With 500, 000 people there, wouldn't Transnistria be able to supply the troops? Russia likes to fight using other people's troops, I imagine a recruitment drive within Transnistria to start. As for getting Russians there, do as was done when they took Crimea, dress them as civilians and have 20, 000 guys car pool through Europe, take civilian aircraft, charter a fishing excursion in the Black Sea and then head up the river.

[yuratg]

"Transnistria, which illegally split from Moldova as the Soviet Union crumbled" - who determines the illegality or legality of the destruction of the state? Moldova is generally a territory that was formed inside the USSR

[bunyip]

Same playbook again? Moldova is not yet a member of the EU... still a "candidate". It is not a member of NATO either.... it is a member of the NACC.... but Neutrality is built into their constitution. Russian speaking part of the country asking for help....
The similarities are too much to be a coincidence.

[allanjstark]

Republicans will also help Putin to get there

[DeeWeber]

That was great. Remember when Trump mentioned Putin’s interest in Moldova after their summit and everyone was like Moldova? And then he repeated a false history embraced by Putin about the area.

[MrHrKaidoOjamaaVKJV]

Being that Moldova was once part of Romania. Maybe Moldova should seek to become part of Romania again and thus would be under the protection of the NATO Defensive Alliance.

[stevetait]

If Russia thinks this is a good idea, then let them allow Chechnya and others to breakaway and become independent.

[Herodotus__]

You forgot to add when Transnistria called for independence even Russia did not recognize that move in the early 90's!

[jimris]

Citizens in Transnistria must prove themselves that they can speak Moldovian or be deported

[edwardmille]

Here we go with Vladimir trying to rebuild the Russian empire.

[serviustullus]

Moldova needs to join the EU and NATO, ASAP.

[oleggeraschenko]

I, as a Russian citizen, want to make it clear: Russia’s in enough international conflict already responding to the callings of separatists from Donetsk and Luhansk and should not send our people to die for separatists. Russia’s responsibility should be to its own citizens, not separatists here and there. To all separatists: we do not want to die for you, leave Russia alone

[HWCWTD]

The same way eastern ukraine was a "breakaway" region? BS. This is back door into Europe for Putin.

[Typical.Anomaly]

Transnistria? That's between Capacitoronia and Diodia, right? On the Resistor river?