"DE FACTO"
TRANSNISTRIA | 2015
The self-proclaimed Republic of Pridnestrovia (better known as Transnistria) celebrates the 25th anniversary of its declaration of independence. This small territory located mostly between the Dniester River and the western border of Ukraine , has acquired all the attributes of a state (money, passport, parliament, government, anthem, etc.) but without obtaining any international recognition. All symbols of the communist era were held in the country as evidence of a deep attachment to the past, a deep attachment to Moscow especially! Indeed the egalitarian ideology conveyed by these symbols quickly shattered as in the rest of the former USSR republics. Local oligarchs’ Porsche Cayennes and Land Rovers overtake (on a very good road network) the old Ladas of a middle class whose monthly salary does not exceed 200 euros.
Only the support of Russia has allowed this small self-proclaimed republic (with no common border with its generous donor) to keep its head above water for 25 years. In exchange, Russia keeps an important military arsenal and a contingent of 2,000 Special Forces on their territory. A way for them to create a "buffer zone » with Europe and prevent deeper EU/NATO integration of Moldova.
