Moldovan Negotiator Rules Out Moscow Role In Resolving Separatist Issue

Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Oleg Serebrian (file photo)

Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Oleg Serebrian (file photo)

Moldova's top negotiator in resolving the three-decade-old dispute with its pro-Russian Transdniester separatist enclave on January 28 ruled out any role for Moscow in finding a solution as long as it was engaged in its war in Ukraine. Deputy Prime Minister Oleg Serebrian made his comments on national radio as Moldova's pro-European government pressed ahead with its drive to secure EU membership. Serebrian said the 5+2 Transdniester negotiating process in place for 20 years -- which included Russia and Ukraine as well as the United States and EU as observers -- could serve no purpose as long as Moscow pursued its invasion.