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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.

published by
CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN POLICY STUDIES
 on September 10, 2019

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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