Transnistrian Settlement Process: Contribution of Ukraine and Conclusions for Donbas

The article highlights the role and place of Ukraine, which has just celebrated the 30th anniversary of its independence’s resumption, in the Transnistrian settlement process. The article contains an analysis of the first state peacekeeping experience of Ukraine and updated plans for further steps in light of the national interests of our state. The author of the article argues that an analysis of the mistakes made during the settlement will help prevent a repetition of such failures in countering Russian aggression in Donbas. Refusal of Russian ‘peacekeepers’ in Transnistria and reorientation to the mechanisms of international observation missions are to meet the world peacekeeping criteria, as well as the interests and positions of Moldova, Ukraine, the European Union, the United States and the OSCE as an international organisation responsible for security issues in the European region. In particular, the article notes that Ukraine and Moldova are interested in stabilising the situation in Transnistria, as it will reduce the region’s criminality, significantly limit the flow of smuggled goods to Ukraine, and put a barrier against illegal migration to the EU. The fact of an active conflict so close to Ukrainian borders becomes a potential threat of Ukraine possibly being drawn into a confrontation. The active participation of Ukraine in the peacekeeping process is concurrently of great importance for improving the image of our state in the international arena. The 30-year experience of the Transnistrian settlement process becomes a vivid example for Ukraine of effective counteraction to Russian expansionist intentions. A careful study of the mistakes made by Moldova and Ukraine is imperative to determine our further actions in Donbas. Keywords: Transnistrian conflict, Moldova, national security of Ukraine, Russia, Donbas.