Expresses its deep concern about what is happening in Transnistria, in an exclusive interview in SKAI and Apostolos Maggeriadis, the European director of the Atlantic Council Benjamin Handad.
“The only way to hope for any kind of compromise or any kind of ceasefire is to force the Russian invasion into a dead end “ says the Washington-based think tank Europe director.
The interview in detail
Do you think that Putin is aiming to invade Transnistria and Moldova and that in this way he is choosing the proxy war against the West?
Haddad: I’m very worried about what is happening in Transnistria right now. I think, however, that you are already seeing the difficulties that Russia is facing in Ukraine, both the difficulties of its army and, of course, the incredible resistance of the Ukrainian people supported by the West through the surrender of weapons and sanctions. Therefore, I think the key is to continue the Western unity in support of Ukraine. We saw the decisions taken in Ramstein today by Secretary Austin and his allies, the European allies, to increase arms deliveries to Ukraine and to balance the situation on the ground. I think this is really key. But you are absolutely right. Let’s not overlook other so-called “| frozen” conflicts that Russia has been manipulating for the last few decades to be able to continue to exert pressure in the region, in Moldova and, of course, in Georgia and the Western Balkans. We have seen Russian-backed Serb separatists in Bosnia, for example. So as we focus on Ukraine, I think it will be a top priority for Europeans to think about the rest of the neighborhood and strengthen their foreign policy presence there.
Do you think there is a way out of the Ukraine crisis that could leave the parties happy?
Haddad: I think the only way to hope for any kind of compromise or any kind of ceasefire is to force the Russian invasion into a stalemate. And for that you have to to continue to support the Ukrainians. What is happening now is that Russia refuses to sit at the negotiating table, before the conflict, of course, but also during this conflict. Mr Zelensky has said many times that he is ready to sit at the table with Vladimir Putin, that he is ready to discuss his country’s NATO bid or the issue of regional autonomy in Donbas. At the moment, Russia is rejecting diplomacy and opting for military option. So the only way to hope for some kind of diplomatic process or end to hostilities is to put pressure on Russia. And of course to continue to support Ukraine. I think that, as Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union, has said, there is no contradiction between military and diplomatic choice. It is the only way to impose a diplomatic choice.
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