Elections of deputies at all levels took place in Pridnestrovie. Various attempts to interfere in this electoral process were made. Currently, there is active criticism of the election results in Chisinau. Why do you think there is such a negative reaction in Moldova to the normal electoral process in Pridnestrovie?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
Moldova's attempts to sabotage the electoral process in Pridnestrovie are obvious: intimidation of our citizens, obstruction of the work of international observers, and so on. This is a clear violation of the fundamental principles of international law and has nothing to do with democracy or human rights. However, the motives are quite clear. The elections in Pridnestrovie were held calmly and confidently, without scandals, media closures, or arrests of political figures, unlike in Moldova. The contrast is clear. Our civilized elections are a testament to the viability of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, which has existed for over 35 years. The quality of their conduct demonstrates the effectiveness and maturity of democratic institutions. The Pridnestrovian people independently determine by voting their present and future, demonstrating their desire, as before, to live and develop in their own state. And this completely shatters the political mythology that Chisinau has been constructing around Pridnestrovie and the unresolved conflict.
RIA News:
Pridnestrovie is calling on Moldova to resume the negotiation process. There has been no positive response from Chisinau so far. What can Tiraspol offer Chisinau to finally agree to negotiations? Who, in your opinion, can force the Moldovan authorities to resume dialogue today?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
Officially, Chisinau has been deliberately provoking a halt in the negotiation process for several years. This is not just about the "5+2" format. "1+1" meetings at the leadership level of Pridnestrovie and Moldova were also ceased. I have repeatedly officially proposed to the head of the neighboring state that we meet, discuss the accumulated issues, and take steps toward finding a compromise. Problems won't resolve themselves. They are constantly multiplying, and the cumulative effect is fraught with increasingly negative consequences.
Some people say that expert group meetings and contacts between political representatives are sufficient for interaction. Experience shows that this is not enough because these are exchanges of opinions and consultations that do not involve decision-making. Talk remains just talk without decisions. Moreover, there has been no progress in this area either in recent years. Chisinau is deliberately trying to minimize all contacts: meetings of political representatives have not taken place since April, and relevant experts from both sides meet very rarely. It is a dangerous illusion to think that problems that have been festering for decades can be resolved in one fell swoop. The restoration of dialogue between Pridnestrovie and Moldova is inevitable. Any attempts to justify stagnation are empty words, covering up the lack of a real action plan on the part of those blocking dialogue. Any sensible person understands that serious negotiations are beneficial and beneficial to everyone, including international participants. We are all responsible for maintaining peace and stability in the region and must under no circumstances allow conflict to arise. Resolving this crucial task is already a significant reason to meet and discuss.
RIA News:
EU Ambassador to Chisinau Iwina Piorko stated that Moldova cannot join the European Union in stages and without Pridnestrovie, that accession negotiations are being conducted with a single country. How does Tiraspol respond to such statements?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
We hear many statements on this matter, some of them contradictory. For example, the President of Moldova officially stated that Moldova's accession to the European Union could happen, as she put it, "in parts": first Moldova, then Pridnestrovie. You can say whatever you like, but the objective reality is that on the Dniester there are two different peoples, two separate republics, and an unresolved conflict that is interfering with their normal lives. This is precisely where we need to start – with normalizing relations between Pridnestrovie and Moldova, which once again brings us back to the need for dialogue.
RIA News:
Moldovan politicians are now saying that there's some kind of reintegration plan being discussed with external partners. Can a viable settlement model even emerge without taking into account the opinions of Tiraspol and Moscow?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
Moldovan representatives have repeatedly announced plans they've developed over the past 35 years. The practical benefit of such activity, or rather, the imitation of it, is zero. All these secret plans, prepared in some dark rooms without regard for reality, without reflecting the position and interests of the other side the half-million people of Pridnestrovie have, as we can see, vanished. It's a waste of time.
RIA News:
Chisinau continues to criticize the "5+2" negotiating format. They say it's dysfunctional and that other platforms are needed. What are the current chances of relaunching the "5+2" format? What is needed for this?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
Let me remind you that the work of the international "5+2" format was blocked in Bratislava back in October 2019. It was Moldova's fault, its political representative refused to sign the final protocol of the meeting, thus stalling the process. Then, Moldova began making up pretexts for not holding the meeting. Unfortunately, some international participants are playing along. But their arguments do not stand up to scrutiny. They are trying to convince us that the two mediators, Russia and Ukraine, cannot currently be represented at the same negotiating table. However, as we know, these countries continue to maintain regular contacts on various issues even in the face of confrontation. So why shouldn't they cooperate in our negotiation process? There are no objective obstacles to holding the "5+2" meeting, there is only the reluctance of certain participants to work in this format. As for its resumption, I am convinced that this will definitely happen. Everyone will understand sooner or later that further delaying the resolution of the accumulated problems is simply dangerous. I don't understand why we should wait, delaying the inevitable, and wasting precious time that could already be spent searching for compromise solutions for the benefit of the people.
RIA News:
Chisinau continues to arm itself and demonstrates new lethal weapons: modern howitzers, mortars, and drones. Experts say this could very soon upset the strategic balance between the armies of Moldova and Pridnestrovie. Are the risks and threats to peace in the region now growing?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
Of course, when new weapons appear in a neighboring state, it cannot but raise concerns. Questions arise as to why this is being done in secret, and what other weapons could have been supplied in such a "secret" manner. People understand that these systems are offensive in nature, not defensive. Moldova's stockpile of such offensive weapons is growing. The militarization process is obvious. Some military supplies to Moldova are financed by NATO countries. Why pump one of the parties with weapons during an unresolved conflict? Weapons are being imported, exacerbating existing tensions instead of investing in peaceful development. But I haven't given up hope that the Moldovan leadership doesn't want war like us.
RIA News:
You cited examples of arms and drug smuggling in Moldova at a recent meeting with the OSCE. Tiraspol again called on Chisinau to resume law enforcement cooperation. To what extent is this cooperation necessary now?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
The fight against crime has always been an important area of cooperation. We signed a number of agreements in this area with Moldova between 1999 and 2001. There was an exchange of information and joint activities. This was an effective practice. Unfortunately, Chisinau unilaterally terminated all law enforcement cooperation. The relevant expert (working) group has also not met for over four years. We are ready to resume such cooperation; in fact, we insist on it. This is especially relevant against the backdrop of high-profile events in Moldova related to arms and drug trafficking, some of which was destined for EU countries incidentally.
RIA News:
Moldova recently requested additional electricity from Romania, and the population was urged to conserve. Can the Moldovan State District Power Plant (GRES) resume stable electricity supplies to Moldova now?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
The Moldovan State District Power Plant (GRES) is physically capable of increasing electricity generation volumes if supplied with additional natural gas. This means that resuming electricity exports is possible if gas is available.
RIA News:
Pridnestrovie is reintroducing a state of emergency due to the gas crisis. What is the current state of affairs in the energy sector? Is there a risk of a repeat of the acute phase of the energy crisis, as it was at the beginning of this year?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
There is a specific mechanism for natural gas supplies and a payment system. The situation related to payments within the European Union worsened at the end of November. Everything is interconnected. Naturally, the risk of a reduction in the payment rate to a critical level has increased. This will result in a reduction in natural gas supplies and the possibility of insecurity. All parties and participants are taking measures to restore normal supply. However, given the current geopolitical situation, the risk of a recurrence of the acute phase of the energy crisis remains, unfortunately.
RIA News:
How are we currently managing economic problems and responding to current negative challenges?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
The situation is very difficult. The energy crisis at the beginning of the year and its consequences have had an extremely negative impact on all sectors of the Pridnestrovian economy. Discriminatory treatment of our economic entities by Moldova persists at the same time. Industrial production has declined by almost 30% compared to last year. The highest rates of decline in industrial output were observed in the electric power, chemical, ferrous metallurgy, mechanical engineering, metalworking, and light industry sectors. Exports have fallen by 41.7% since the beginning of the year. The key factor was undoubtedly the cessation of electricity exports in 2025. However, other exports declined significantly. Import volumes fell by 19.2%. This excludes natural gas. Experts report that the foreign trade deficit has doubled. This is without taking into account the fluctuations in gas supplies. Budget revenues are extremely limited. Nevertheless, the state is fulfilling its social obligations, implementing programs vital to the country's survival. Support is even being provided to industrial enterprises facing critical situations.