Moldova’s Foreign Ministry has summoned the Russian Ambassador in Chisinau to give explanations over some statements made by an official of the Russian army. According to Radio Chisinau, General Rustam Minnekaev said that Russian forces plan to take full control of the Denbas region and southern Ukraine, so Russia ‘can create another way out to’ the breakaway region of Trans-Ddniester. The Moldovan Foreign Ministry deems these statements as ungrounded and in contradiction to Russia’s stand of supporting Moldova’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, within internationally recognised borders. Trans-Dniester has not been under Moldova’s control since 1992, following an armed conflict in which Russian forces supported the separatists.
