RIA News:
Pridnestrovie marked the 36th anniversary of its independence in early September. Chisinau labeled the celebrations a provocative act, adding that the events in Tiraspol challenged Moldova’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Why did Pridnestrovie declare its independence in the autumn of 1990 then?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, President of the PMR:
The primary reason is in the processes that began on the right bank of the Moldavian SSR during the Perestroika era. Under the slogans of so-called national revival, a course was gradually set toward building a mono-ethnic state, marginalizing the Russian language in public and state life, and altering the republic’s cultural and political identity. Separatist sentiments favoring withdrawal from the Soviet Union were intensifying. At the same time, the political elites of the MSSR envisioned the creation of an independent Moldova as merely an intermediate stage before “unirea” – that is, unification with neighboring Romania.
All of this was unacceptable for the people of Pridnestrovie. Our region for centuries has been and remains a place where representatives of dozens of ethnic groups live side by side and where various languages are spoken freely. People flocked here from every corner of the empire after the territory of Pridnestrovie became part of Russia in the late 18th century. Catherine II and the tsarist government invited colonists from abroad – Christian subjects of the Ottoman Empire and settlers from Germany. This is how the region’s diverse, multi-ethnic tapestry was formed with Moldovans, Russians, Ukrainians, Bulgarians, Gagauz, Armenians, Poles, and members of many other ethnic groups living together peacefully and without conflict. People were accustomed to living together, working at the same enterprises, and forming mixed families. The Russian language has always played a crucial role in the life of Pridnestrovian society, serving as a medium for interethnic communication. This was not imposed. You see? It evolved historically and harmoniously, without any pressure or coercion. The people of Pridnestrovie were suddenly being told that some were "titular" while others were "second-class", that there should be only one state language, and that they needed to abandon their roots and their past. Completely unacceptable Russophobic and antisemitic slogans, such as "Russians across the Dniester, Jews into the Dniester", were being voiced in the right-bank part of the Moldavian SSR. The adoption of a new language law in 1989 marked a turning point. Completely disregarding the position, interests, and demands of Pridnestrovie, a single state Moldovan language was established, coupled with a switch to the Latin script. Later, in 1991, Moldova went even further in its Declaration, designating Romanian rather than Moldovan as the sole language, a policy that remains in effect to this day. In other words it was already clear looking back at 1989 that Chisinau had no intention of respecting the rights of Pridnestrovians. The only way to protect those rights was to establish a state independent of Moldova.
RIA News:
There is talk in Moldova that the reintegration process has been set in motion and cannot be stopped today. However, there is no full-fledged negotiation process between Chisinau and Tiraspol. Why do you think the parties have failed, over the course of more than thirty years, to agree on a common model for coexistence?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, President of the PMR:
I have always advocated for dialogue. We need to negotiate, not fight. But a meaningful dialogue requires an equal exchange of views, respect for each other's interests and positions, and a willingness to compromise. Unfortunately, none of this has been present, neither during that initial period nor subsequently. The Moldovan authorities never understood, and it seems still do not understand the nature of the Pridnestrovian people; they proved incapable of normal, civilized communication, which led to tragedy and a long-standing conflict. We have never refused dialogue at any level or on any platform, and we constantly put forward constructive initiatives and propose realistic, workable solutions. We were ready to negotiate, including in the early stages on a model of coexistence. Chisinau time and again destroyed any chance of agreeing on a mutually acceptable formula to resolve the conflict, including the last-minute refusal to sign the well-known Kozak Memorandum in 2003. When one side deliberately chooses a path of confrontation and pressure, it is difficult to expect significant results from dialogue. However, that certainly does not mean we should abandon diplomacy. I am firmly convinced that thirty years of difficult negotiations are better than a single day of war. Therefore, we must do everything possible to reinvigorate the process. I certainly see a major role for the international participants in the settlement process in this regard, specifically the OSCE, whose mandate requires them to make their authoritative voice heard at a time when Chisinau is openly declaring its unwillingness to engage in a substantive dialogue with Pridnestrovie.
RIA News:
Politicians and civic activists continue to call on Moldova to provide a legal assessment of the hostilities that took place along the banks of the Dniester in 1992 in Pridnestrovie. Moldovan officials in response are currently focusing heavily on those who fought for the country's territorial integrity. What actually happened in Pridnestrovie back then, and why was the armed conflict unavoidable?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, President of the PMR:
Undoubtedly, the war could have been avoided at every stage of the conflict's escalation. There remained a possibility for a peaceful political resolution even in the spring of 1992 despite the bloodshed that had already occurred. Moldovan leaders consistently chose the path of force, committing tragic and irreversible errors. The most significant of these was the treacherous incursion into the Pridnestrovian city of Bendery on June 19, 1992. This occurred despite the fact that the Moldovan parliament had adopted just one day earlier a resolution calling for a peaceful settlement of the conflict. However, as we saw on June 19, that resolution proved to be merely a smokescreen for military preparations. Taking advantage of the fact that the defenders of Bendery had vacated their defensive positions in compliance with peace agreements, Moldovan police and regular army units launched an attack on the city. These events have gone down in history of Pridnestrovie as the "Bendery Tragedy". The consequences of Moldova's aggression included the deaths of 804 Pridnestrovian citizens, half of whom were civilians (men, women, and children) as well as the destruction of over two thousand homes and the ruin or looting of more than 125 enterprises. The war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Moldovan security forces were duly assessed from a legal standpoint at the International Tribunal in Moscow in June 1993. However, they were never investigated by the Moldovan authorities. The war of 1992 was without legal recognition of the tragedy. There are no guarantees that the situation will not happen again.
RIA News:
Many are currently watching the standoff between the central authorities of Moldova and Gagauzia. Experts say that once Chisinau subdues Comrat, it will turn its full attention to Tiraspol. How did it come about that Pridnestrovie is constantly mentioned in the context of the issue of Gagauzia autonomy?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, President of the PMR:
The fates of Gagauzia and Pridnestrovie were closely intertwined in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Both the Gagauz people and the residents of Pridnestrovie opposed Chisinau’s nationalist policies. Gagauzia also proclaimed its own statehood as a republic within the USSR. Moldova attempted to resolve the issue through the use of force just as with Pridnestrovie. Thank God, bloodshed was avoided at that time, Moldovan security forces retreated. Subsequently, the Gagauz Republic ceased to exist, becoming part of Moldova with autonomous status. This scenario is often cited to us as a sort of "success story". However, I do not see Chisinau acting in good faith regarding Gagauzia’s rights. On the contrary, there is a process of consistently curtailing them across various spheres – politics, the economy, and the judicial system. What kind of success is that? For whom? We are closely monitoring these developments, viewing them as instructive, and drawing our own conclusions.
RIA News:
A great many predictions regarding Pridnestrovie are currently circulating in Moldova. There is constant talk in Chisinau of various settlement plans and even the introduction of some form of external administration. How does Tiraspol envision future of Pridnestrovie?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, President of the PMR:
A state has taken shape here on the Dniester, complete with its own government institutions, legislation, army, economy, financial system, and systems of education and healthcare over the past 36 years. A unique multi-ethnic community, the Pridnestrovian people, possessing their own distinct identity has fully taken shape within this state. Despite the lack of broad international recognition, the global community cannot as a matter of de facto reality ignore the existence of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic. We are an equal party to the "5+2" international negotiation process and a participant in the trilateral peacekeeping operation on the Dniester, thereby contributing to regional security. Any resolution to the Moldovan-Pridnestrovian conflict must be grounded in this established reality. It is simply impossible to pretend that the last 36 years of history never happened. Pridnestrovie is an established geopolitical entity – a fully-fledged state. That is a fact.
RIA News:
How do you assess the current state of bilateral relations between Pridnestrovie and Russia? What kind of support does Moscow provide, and in which areas?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, President of the PMR:
Pridnestrovie shares deep historical roots with Russia. Our region had been part of the Russian state for nearly two centuries. That era saw the formation of the multi-ethnic community that constitutes the Pridnestrovians people, as well as demographic growth, the emergence of early statehood, and economic and cultural development. We are grateful to Russia for many things and wish to preserve and strengthen bilateral ties in every possible area. Russia’s support for Pridnestrovie is multifaceted. It involves the preservation of peace above all. Peace has been maintained on the banks of the Dniester for over three decades thanks to the Russian peacekeeping mission, active here since 1992. It is hard to overstate the significance of this achievement, which enables the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic and its people to live, work, and raise their children in peace. Russia has not merely declared its readiness to stand by us but has genuinely extended a helping hand during difficult times throughout history of Pridnestrovie. It was Russia that helped find solutions to restore gas supplies to the republic during the humanitarian and energy crisis of 2025. Humanitarian and social aid is provided on an ongoing basis. This assistance spans numerous sectors, including healthcare, education, and pension provision today. You have likely heard about the textbooks for Pridnestrovian schoolchildren thanks to a Russian grant, a large-scale renewal of school textbooks is currently underway, with a total of 150000 new books being delivered as well as the medical equipment purchased with Russian support. Our educational diplomas and certificates are recognized as equivalent to their Russian counterparts. Pridnestrovian residents with Russian citizenship have actively participated in Russian electoral processes for many years. Russian citizens in Pridnestrovie will once again be able to exercise their right to vote in the State Duma elections This month, with 17 polling stations opening across the region. There are hundreds of thousands of Russian citizens in Pridnestrovie. That is a fact. The desire of a large number of Pridnestrovians to acquire Russian citizenship is also telling. I am confident that by the next election cycle thanks to the Russian President’s decree allowing Pridnestrovians to obtain Russian citizenship through a special procedure far more Pridnestrovian Russian citizens will head to the polls.
RIA News:
Ambassador of Russia to Moldova Oleg Ozerov has recently presented the first Russian passports to Pridnestrovian residents in Tiraspol under Vladimir Putin’s citizenship decree. How is this mechanism currently working? Why is Russian citizenship in such high demand on the banks of the Dniester?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, President of the PMR:
Russian citizenship represents for Pridnestrovians the natural legal formalization of the unbreakable historical and human ties that exist between Pridnestrovie and Russia. That is why there has always been keen interest among residents of Pridnestrovie in obtaining Russian documents specifically. More than 220000 citizens of the Russian Federation live in the republic, along with many others who would like to become Russian citizens but previously lacked the opportunity to do so. The decree issued by Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin held immense practical and symbolic significance for the people of Pridnestrovie in this regard. Its timeliness and necessity are confirmed by the tremendous public interest: in just a few months, over 60000 people have signed up for the electronic queue to obtain Russian citizenship. I assure you, there are even more who wish to do so. The process is underway. The first passports under this simplified procedure have already been issued. The mechanism is now operating routinely. The issue of consular fees recently arose; the cost had increased to a level that was unaffordable for the majority of Pridnestrovians. We managed to find a way to resolve this problem in the best interests of the people through cooperation with the Russian side.
RIA News:
You mentioned the recognition of Pridnestrovian secondary and higher education documents. How was this achieved? What work went into it?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, President of the PMR:
Pridnestrovie has a fully functioning education system – preschool, secondary, vocational, and higher education, that is aligned with Russian standards. We have established close ties with the Russian Federation in the educational sphere: our teachers participate in Russian competitions and projects and undergo professional training, while our students have the opportunity to continue their studies at Russian universities. Pridnestrovian State University named after Shevchenko is accredited in the Russian Federation and issues graduates two diplomas: one of the Pridnestrovian standard and one of the Russian standard. We reached an agreement with Russia on the recognition of our school certificates for both basic and complete secondary education. Schoolchildren, who completed the 9th and 11th grades last year, as well as all future graduates, can obtain documents of both Pridnestrovian and Russian standards. All of this is the result of extensive work made possible by the efforts and the desire of both sides above all, Pridnestrovian and Russian. Both parties understand that this work serves the interests and well-being of the people.
RIA News:
We are witnessing an alarming process of history rewriting in Moldova at present. Pridnestrovie reacts very sharply to this. Tiraspol has repeatedly raised the issue of new Moldovan history textbooks that effectively rehabilitate fascism. What needs to be done today to preserve and teach an accurate history?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, President of the PMR:
Historical memory is a crucial element of Pridnestrovian identity; therefore, preserving it is both a vital societal need and a priority for the state. We are working in a wide range of areas. It must be noted, however, that the people of Pridnestrovie understand the situation perfectly and, fortunately, are unerringly able to separate the wheat from the chaff. One of the major projects in this field has been the construction of a museum quarter in Tiraspol. It comprises twenty halls that recount the history of Pridnestrovie, spanning from ancient times to the present day. We place great emphasis on preserving and maintaining memorial complexes, military burial sites, and places of remembrance. Moreover, we do not merely maintain existing sites; we create new ones wherever there is a need to remind, highlight, or tell a story. We work extensively with archives and historical documents, painstakingly gathering and preserving the true history. Most importantly, we make history accessible to everyone. History cannot simply be memorized by rote; it must be felt, understood, and analyzed, allowing one to draw one’s own conclusions. Schoolchildren in Moldova are not fed falsehoods disguised as textbook material, we conduct extensive educational, research, and scholarly work, for instance, to ensure that our children unlike. This includes opening modern museums that offer a comprehensive overview of Pridnestrovian history. We produce films and videos that tell the story of the Pridnestrovian people, their history and their national, ethnic, and religious diversity in a way that is engaging, accessible, and truthful above all. We organize competitions to encourage young people to study and understand the past of their people and their country. The youth respond. For example, "The Immortal Regiment" march. Were people forced to participate? They were not, absolutely. We simply invited them: come and pay your respects. People do come, more than 105000 of them this year.
A distinct chapter of Pridnestrovian history concerns the events of the early 1990s. The names of 804 Pridnestrovian residents who lost their lives during the attack by Moldova are immortalized at the Memorial of Glory in Tiraspol. Commemorative events are held annually to mark the tragic events in Dubossary and Bendery, as well as the deployment of peacekeeping forces.
One of the defining characteristics of historical memory in Pridnestrovie is a balanced attitude toward the past, avoiding any division into "bad" and "good" eras. Monuments dating back to the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, and the modern Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic are preserved and new ones erected across our cities and villages.
RIA News:
How is industry of Pridnestrovie working today? Is it possible to retain workforces at factories and plants amidst pressure from Moldova and regional instability?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, President of the PMR:
As for our enterprises, we have done our utmost to preserve and develop the industrial potential inherited from the USSR ever since the republic was founded. Many of the unique manufacturing operations that brought Pridnestrovie renown during the Soviet era remain active today. However, they constantly face serious external constraints, including those stemming from the blockade and restrictive measures imposed by the neighboring Republic of Moldova. These include difficulties importing raw materials and exporting finished goods, obstacles in obtaining necessary permits, and the illegitimate levying of duties by Moldova, which is plain theft in essence, since the collected funds are not returned to Pridnestrovie but are instead spent by Chisinau on its own needs. The Republic of Moldova is increasing its unlawful exactions from our enterprises, threatening them with ruin. Take the so-called VAT that Moldova decided to levy on Pridnestrovian organizations can that really be considered a value-added tax? Any economist with even a modicum of competence would tell you that the levying of VAT entails a partial refund of funds to the taxpayer. Moldova’s system does not provide for this. So, let us call things by their proper names: it is a levy, a fee, a robbery, anything but VAT.
Our task is to provide maximum support to producers through various state assistance mechanisms. It is crucial to preserve workforces, ensuring that people can continue working and earn a stable income. Pridnestrovie is a bountiful land and a young, promising state; its people remember the past well, know exactly what they want for the future, and steadfastly follow their chosen path. This irritates many. We continue on our way, a path that is indeed difficult, thorny, and fraught with obstacles, but it is our path.