Public Lecture -Transnistria: Re-examining its Origins and Prospects for the Future

Dr Keith Harrington says: "The Transnistrian Moldavian Republic is a pro-Russian separatist state in eastern Moldova. Located along the border with Ukraine and home to some 1,000 Russian troops, Transnistria has gained a considerable amount of international attention in recent years. Transnistria’s origins can be traced back to the late Soviet period. Moldova’s attempts to secure independence from Moscow alarmed Transnistria’s predominantly pro-Soviet and Russian-speaking population. By 1990, a separatist movement had emerged in the region, which sought to detach Transnistria from Moldova but keep it within the Soviet Union. After a tense political standoff, war broke out in March 1992 when Transnistria’s paramilitary attempted to consolidate their control over the region. The war came to an end when Russian troops stationed in Transnistria intervened on the side of the separatists and ejected Moldova’s forces from the region. Since 1992, Transnistria has existed as a de-facto state, lacking international recognition but containing many of the attributes of a recognised state, including its own flag and currency. Given their international isolation, the separatist regime is entirely reliant on Russia, which provides them with political, economic, and military support. "In my talk, I will discuss the formation of the Transnistrian Moldavian Republic, as well as how it has been impacted by Russia’s war in Ukraine. I will examine how the separatists in Transnistria captured state institutions and question to what extent they enjoyed popular support. I will also examine the role the Soviet and later Russian governments played in stoking the conflict. Finally, I will discuss how the war in Ukraine has affected Transnistria, showing how it has increased tensions with Moldova. "By the end of this lecture, the audience will have a better understanding of both the domestic and international factors that led to the formation of the Transnistrian Moldavian Republic. Additionally, they will gain an insight into how Russia’s war in Ukraine has impacted other post-Soviet states". For more see the lecture series 'Understanding Europe's East' on Eventbrite.