The Non-Existing State: Exploring the Question of Transnistria’s Recognition

Nov 8

Nov 8 The Non-Existing State: Exploring the Question of Transnistria’s Recognition

Statehood remains a subject of international contention as there are multiple qualifications required for the recognition of a state. According to the Montevideo Convention, these qualifications include a permanent population, defined territory, a government, and the capacity for entering into relations with other states. While determining if a state maintains these characteristics may seem undemanding, the existence of de-facto states brings the subject of statehood into question.

One unique case of contested statehood is the territorial unit Transnistria, formerly known as the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR). Transnistria is an approximately 500,000-person territory resting between Ukraine and the river Dniester that declared independence from Moldova in 1990; yet the ensuing civil war left the region in a continuing state of political suspension.

After the disbandment of the Soviet Union in 1991, Moldova was able to declare its independence as a sovereign state. This official separation from Russia led to conflict in Moldova’s region of Transnistria, since Transnistria’s ethnic and linguistic composition was notably different from the rest of the nation. Policies enacted by the Moldovan government, such as the elimination of Russian as a state language only heightened tension. A conflict eventually sprouted between Pro-Russia insurgents and pro-Moldova groups that involved forces from Moldova, Ukraine, Romania, Russia, and Transnistria. Hundreds were killed until it ended in a 1992 peace agreement. However, the presence of Russian troops in the territory allowed the pro-Russian separatists to seize and maintain control of the region leading to an ongoing ‘frozen conflict’. The frozen nature of the conflict means that while there is presently no violence occurring, there still exists the unresolved issue of Transnistria’s statehood.

Despite Transnistria having declared independence and subsequently developing its own government and armed forces, it is not recognized internationally as a republic. Moldova still claims Transnistria as part of its own nation, despite no longer maintaining any reasonable semblance of control over the territory. Transnistria can be considered a de-facto independent state. It maintains most of what is necessary to be considered an independent state, including its own currency, flag, and passports. While no United Nations members currently recognize the statehood of Transnistria officially, it still considers itself independent and celebrates a national Independence Day annually. This highlights questions over true legitimacy of Transnistria’s claims to independence, since it has adopted commonly accepted facets of statehood, yet it is not recognized as legitimate outside of the separatist zone.

One of the significant factors in the question of Transnistria’s recognition is the involvement of Russia in the region. Russian soldiers were sent to the territory in 1992 and have since remained stationed there. Transnistria continues – today - to uphold strong ties with the Russian nation. This is unsurprising considering that by 2018 alone over 220,000 Russian passports had been issued within Transnistria, indicating that more than half of the citizens of the de facto state can now define themselves as Russian citizens. In addition, 90% of Transnistria’s population voted for independence from Moldova and unification with Russia in a 2006 referendum. Despite this referendum being put into effect, Transnistria’s government remains acutely Pro-Russia.

Before declaring independence from Moldova, Transnistria produced around 40 percent of the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic (MSSR) GDP and was responsible for providing much of the region’s electricity. Transnistria was considered an industrial powerhouse within the MSSR, yet it was left to restructure its fractured economy after its fight for separation from Moldova. Since the Transnistria War, Russia has formed an even closer economic relationship with Transnistria. Not only does Russia supply gas to the region but also augments salaries and pensions to keep the de facto state’s economy functioning; approximately 150,000 pensioners receive from Russia a monthly $9 addition.

However, Transnistria has recently started to become more economically independent and less reliant on exporting goods to Russia alone. The territory now trades with 20 out of 27 European Union States, and this trade currently makes up more than 70 percent of Transnistria’s exports. Transnistria’s trade relations with the European Market continue to grow, allowing it to expand its economic opportunities and develop itself as a more independent entity. Some Transnistrian businesses have been able to benefit financially from the 2014 Association Agreement enacted by Moldova and the EU which cut tariffs on Moldovan goods. This burgeoning economic between the contested state and the European trading bloc connection indicates the growing ability of Transnistria to develop further economically and expand its trade relations.

While Transnistria has sought to exhibit many characteristics necessary for legitimate statehood, including a defined territory and population, as well as creating its own government - the key challenge holding it back from global recognition as an official state is its capacity to conduct international relations. The republic is only currently recognized by South Ossetia, Abkhazia, and Nagorno-Karabakh, which are all disputed territories still without statehood after the disbandment of the Soviet Union.

To be fully recognized as a sovereign state, independence of external influence and the capacity to enter into relations with other states is crucial. Due to Russia’s evident influence in the region and the lack of an internationally recognized currency, Transnistria does not yet entirely meet the qualifications of internationally legitimized statehood. However, it does continue to uphold itself as a de facto state with the possibility for future international recognition. Whether Transnistria remains within the sphere of influence of Moldova, gains international recognition as a state, or even joins Russia, its status as a de facto state is subject to ongoing examination and debate within the international community.