Ukraine and Moldova team up to snuff out Russian threat in Transnistria for good

Transnistria, to the east of Moldova, butting up against the border with Ukraine, a Russian -occupied region of Moldova.For decades, Transnistria has been a frozen conflict, a strip of land held by Russian -backed forces and a thousand -strong Kremlin hidden army.It's been a constant dagger pointed at Ukraine's flank.But now, Moldova's president, Maya Sandu, has just confirmed a significant change in strategy.Her plan is to reintegrate the region into Moldova.This is a major strategic win for the West that's happening right on Ukraine's border.

How does it do this?

Well, in a diplomatic chess move, the command structure has been declared persona non grata by Moldova.The government in Kristianu has designated the entire command of the Russian forces there as undesirable persons.This includes the commander Dmitry Zelenkov and five of his top deputies, including Chief of Staff Marat Yaralin.On top of this, President Sandu says Moldova is now working with the EU to create an international mechanism to reintegrate the region, and notably, they're sidelining Russia entirely.Ukraine has heavily mined the border and closed the checkpoints to stop Russian saboteurs, and the economic squeeze is getting tighter.The region can no longer rely on Russian gas transiting through Ukraine, forcing the locals to look to Europe for survival.

Without triggering direct confrontation, the Moldovans have trapped the highest ranking Russian officials in one place.Russia's hands are tied.With the bulk of the Russian army stuck in the Ukrainian mud, Moscow's ability to protect peripheral interests is collapsing.Ukraine has effectively cut off the Russian garrison in Transnistria from any easy rotation or resupply.