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Russian MP calls speculations on withdrawal of peacekeepers from Transnistria provocative

On October 7, Moldova’s Defense Minister said he had agreed with his Ukrainian counterpart to draft a plan of the withdrawal of the Russian military and weapons from Transnistria

MOSCOW, November 7. /TASS/. Any speculation about withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers from Transnistria are premature and have provocative nature, a senior Russian lawmaker said on Monday.

Earlier in the day, Moldova’s Defense Minister Anatol Salaru said in Chisinau that he had agreed with his Ukrainian counterpart to draft by the yearend a plan of the withdrawal of the Russian military and weapons from Transnistria, which envisages the establishment of a so-called ‘green corridor’ across Ukraine for them.

"Today, any talk about withdrawal of Russian forces from Transnistria is obviously premature and is of provocative nature," Frants Klintsevich, the first deputy chairman of the defense and security committee of Russia’s Federation Council upper parliament house, said.

"As a matter of fact, it is not clear who can replace Russian troops performing a peacekeeping mission in this region," he said, adding that withdrawal of the Russian contingent "will inevitably trigger resumption of the armed conflict."

He said the Moldovan minister’s statement was "at least strange." "There is a popular saying: ‘It’s like you wake up and find your goose is cooked,’" he said. "Thanks, of course, but no. It is up to Russia to make a decision based, naturally, on the interests of Transnistria’s people."

Earlier on Monday, President of the unrecognized republic of Transnistria Yevgeny Shevchuk told TASS his republic is categorically against withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers from the region.