The US on Tuesday warned of attempts to “raise tensions” after a series of explosions in the pro-Russian separatist Moldovan Transnistria region, which borders Ukraine.
“We are concerned about any possible attempt to escalate tensions,” State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters, without blaming responsibility for the explosions on Moscow.
“We don’t know all the details,” Price added.
“We reiterate the Moldovan government’s call for calm in response to these events and fully support Moldova’s territorial integrity and sovereignty,” he said.
Transnistria seceded from Moldova after a brief civil war in 1992, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, of which both Moldova and Ukraine were part.
The secessionist region of about 500,000 has its own currency, but is heavily dependent on Russia, which provides free gas and has 1,500 soldiers in that area.
The latest explosions targeted the Ministry of State Security, a radio tower and a military unit, and came days after a Russian commander claimed pressure was exerted on Russian-speaking Moldovans.
These statements caused concern in Moldova, as Moscow said the same thing after invading Ukraine on February 24.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Moldova shortly after the invasion of Ukraine as part of a show of support for both the country’s sovereignty and efforts to welcome refugees.
source: Noticias
