Foreign relations of Transnistria
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The Transnistrian republic is recognized by two states with limited recognition, and is a member of one international organization, the Community for Democracy and Human Rights.
Soviet and Russian heritage
[edit]During the perestroika years, the Soviet KGB was suspected of fostering independence movements over the right bank of the Dnester River, and in another Moldovan region, Gagauzia, home to a Turkic minority. The KGB's aim was suspected to be using these movements to restrain and hamper Moldovan desire for independence.[1] Although Ukraine's historical claim to Transnistria was equally as strong, Soviet/Russian military leaders in Transnistria (including those of the 14th Guards Combined Arms Army) tried to claim that the region was "part of Russia," despite the hundreds of miles of Ukraine which separated Transnistria from Russia.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia repeatedly acted in ways that denied the former Soviet republics, including Moldova, their sovereignty and right to exist. Transnistria broke away from Moldova with the assistance of the 14th Guards Army following a brief but intense war in 1992. Supporting the Transnistrian separatists formed part of this imperial agenda. Transnistria, which declared independence from Moldova in 1990 but has not been recognized by the United Nations, has been heavily reliant on Russian support for its survival and de facto independence.[2] Russia has continued to provide strong political support, recognizing its government and offering diplomatic backing in international forums. This support has been critical in sustaining Transnistria's de facto independence from Moldova.
Since then, it has maintained a close relationship with Russia, which has included economic aid, political support, and the presence of Russian military forces in the territory.[3]
The 14th Guards Army decayed down into the significantly-Transnistrian manned Operational Group of Russian Forces, which is separate from Russian "peacekeeping troops" also in the territory.
Transnistria's economy has heavily depended on Russian subsidies and support. Throughout 2022–2023, Russia reportedly increased its economic aid to Transnistria, helping to stabilize the breakaway region's economy amid global economic challenges. This aid has included direct financial support, subsidies for natural gas, and other economic benefits.
Diplomatic relations
[edit]| Entity | Date of recognition | Diplomatic relations established |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 Abkhazia |
22 January 1993 or before[note 1] | – | See also: Abkhazia–Transnistria relationsMutual recognition.[4] Representative offices in Tiraspol and Sukhumi.[5] |
 South Ossetia |
12 October 1994 or before[note 1] | – | See also: South Ossetia–Transnistria relationsMutual recognition.[4] Representative offices in Tiraspol[6] and Tskhinvali.[7] |
In addition to official diplomatic relations, Transnistria uses specific tools to enact external political relations via public diplomacy. For instance, the Transnistrian President established the state award Order of Friendship (Орден Дружбы) in 2012 to primarily decorate foreigners;[8] it has since then been bestowed upon individual recipients (mainly politicians) from Russia, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Italy, and the Catholic Church.[9]
Former diplomatic relations
[edit]| Entity | Date of recognition | Diplomatic relations established |
Diplomatic relations ended |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Artsakh
|
4 July 2001[10] | 4 July 2001[10] | 28 September 2023 | See also: Artsakh–Transnistria relationsMutual recognition.[10]Representative offices in Tiraspol and Stepanakert. |
Republic of Artsakh
[edit]From 4 July 2001 to 28 September 2023, Transnistria and the Republic of Artsakh, mutually recognized each other and had diplomatic relations. Artsakh was also a member of the ″Community for Democracy and Rights of Nations". This state of affair ended when Artsakh was conquered by Azerbaijan and the state had formally declared capitulation on 28 September 2023.
See also
[edit]- International recognition of Transnistria
- List of diplomatic missions of Transnistria
- List of diplomatic missions in Transnistria
- Political status of Transnistria
Notes
[edit]- ^ a b The date, when Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transnistria recognize each other is not clear. Abkhazia and Transnistria signed a Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation on 22 January 1993, South Ossetia and Transnistria signed a Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation on 12 October 1994.
References
[edit]- ^ Odom and Dujarric, "Commonwealth or Empire?, Hudson, 1995, 35.
- ^ "Institute for the Study of War". Institute for the Study of War. Archived from the original on 25 March 2022. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ Chernova, Christian Edwards, Radina Gigova, Anna (28 February 2024). "Transnistria is asking Russia for protection. Here's what to know". CNN. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b "Абхазия, Южная Осетия и Приднестровье признали независимость друг друга и призвали всех к этому же". Newsru. 17 November 2006. Retrieved 26 August 2008.
- ^ "Представительство Абхазии в ПМР – Главная страница". Abkhazia-pmr.org. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
- ^ Representative office of South Ossetia in PMR
- ^ "Представительство Приднестровской Молдавской Республики в Республике Южная Осетия". Representative office of Transnistria in South Ossetia (in Russian). Retrieved 13 April 2016.
- ^ "Ukaz Prezident Pridnestrovskoi Moldavskoi Respubliki 4 Aprelya 2012 g. N 245". Transnistria's Legal Database (Yuridicheskaya Literatura PMR). 4 April 2012. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
- ^ Pacher, Andreas (2020). "Transnistria's Order of Friendship: Legitimacy Through Diplomatic Practice". Europe-Asia Studies. 72 (7): 1209–1231. doi:10.1080/09668136.2020.1722799. ISSN 1465-3427.
- ^ a b c "Protocol on Cooperation and Consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Pridnestrovien Moldavian Republic and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic". Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 4 July 2001. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
External links
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