Issue № 72. February 2019

Russia's Role in Resolving the Transnistrian Conflict (2014–2018): Political Aspects

Natalya I. Kharitonova — PhD, Associate Professor, Department of History of the New Independent States, Faculty of History, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, the Russian Federation.
E-mail: natahari@yandex.ru

The article is devoted to the analysis of the parameters of Russia's participation in the Transnistrian conflict political settlement in the period from 2014 to 2018. This period is characterized by an extremely difficult situation in the conflict zone. The negotiation process is highly susceptible to events not directly related to the “Transnistrian issue”, in particular, the political crisis in Ukraine in 2014. As a result, the key participants in the negotiation process have changed their approach to the principles of conflict resolution, which has led to the breakdown of the negotiation process. An analysis of the parties’ positions in the conflict, mediator-guarantors and observers demonstrated the transition of some of them to a situational model of behavior in the framework of the negotiation process. The position of Russia, which continues to adhere to the principles of consistency and synchronicity in resolving the Transnistrian conflict, remains the same. For this reason, the role of the Russian Federation at the moment remains a key factor in maintaining an acceptable level of security and stability in the region.

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