Ukraine to facilitate transformation of military mission into civilian in Transnistria

"Ukraine will never oppose the process of transforming the so-called military peacekeeping mission into a civilian police mission under the auspices of one or another international organization," Deputy Head of President’s Office Ihor Zhovkva said in an interview with TSN.ua, Ukrinform reports.

Zhovkva stressed that Ukraine has a similar situation in the occupied Donbas and Ukraine is working here with the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission.

"We can say that the same mission may be deployed in Moldova, perhaps, from other organizations. Ukraine will always facilitate this process. Let me remind you that Ukraine is a mediator in the 5+2 format and is ready to actively fulfill its role. Unfortunately, the 5+2 format has slowed down over the past two years," the deputy head of President’s Office said.

He stressed that if the current peacekeeping mission is started to be withdrawn and replaced with a police mission, Ukraine will never interfere in this process but will only provide appropriate assistance.

When asked about the readiness to provide a "green corridor" for such a purpose and adopt a decision by the Verkhovna Rada, Zhovkva replied: "Therefore, such a decision of the Verkhovna Rada will be made."

"We do not want another outbreak on our southwestern borders. Therefore, we will contribute in every way. Moldova has to do its part, and Ukraine will be a reliable mediator and partner here," the deputy head of the Office of the President of Ukraine added.

At the same time, he recalled that the Transnistria conflict settlement was discussed during Maia Sandu's official visit to Kyiv on January 12 and Volodymyr Zelensky reaffirmed Ukraine's stance on support for Moldova's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

Earlier, President of Moldova Maia Sandu called for reforming the Transnistrian peacekeeping mission and turning it into a civilian one along with the withdrawal of Russian troops.

The 5+2 format for settlement of the conflict in Transnistria includes the Republic of Moldova and Transdniestria as the sides, the OSCE, Russian Federation, and Ukraine as the mediators, and the European Union and the United States as the observers.

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