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  "authors": [
    "Thomas de Waal"
  ],
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    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
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Source: Getty

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Carnegie Europe

Transdniestria Today

A final political solution of the conflict over Transdniestria remains elusive and dependent on wider geopolitical trends. However, in contrast to other conflicts, it is peaceful.

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By Thomas de Waal
Published on Sep 10, 2019
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The Europe Program in Washington explores the political and security developments within Europe, transatlantic relations, and Europe’s global role. Working in coordination with Carnegie Europe in Brussels, the program brings together U.S. and European policymakers and experts on strategic issues facing Europe.

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Source: CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN POLICY STUDIES

The Transdniestria conflict is in many ways less a conflict than a bitter political and territorial dispute. There has been virtually no violence since the armed phase of the conflict ended in 1992. There are high levels of daily contact between people in Transdniestria and in rightbank Moldova and the economies of the two sides are connected at many levels. A spirit of pragmatism prevails in the conflict, which contrasts it with the conflicts in Ukraine and the South Caucasus. The dispute is perpetuated by the rival geopolitical orientations of decisionmakers on two sides. Many in the region also view the status quo as benefiting elite business groups on either side of the Dniester River, who have agreed to divide up assets and profit from Transdniestria’s unrecognized status.

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This publication was prepared within the framework of the CEPS-led 3DCFTAs project, enabled by financial support from Sweden. To download the publication, please consult the following link.

About the Author

Thomas de Waal

Senior Fellow, Carnegie Europe

Thomas de Waal is a senior fellow at Carnegie Europe, specializing in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus.

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Thomas de Waal
Senior Fellow, Carnegie Europe
Thomas de Waal
SecurityEuropeEastern EuropeMoldovaIran

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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