Russia will recognize breakaway republic if Moldova joins Romania

Alexei Ostrovski, head of the Russian Duma's Committee for ties with the Commonwealth of Independent States, said recently that Russia would recognize Transnistria's independence if Moldova unites with Romania.

Transnistria is a breakaway republic in eastern Moldova. Separatist authorities consolidated control in the area east of the river Nistru after a short but bloody war with Moldovan authorities in 1992.

Mr. Ostrovski's statements come at a time when the Party of Communists and mass media affiliated to it have circulated accusations that the new ruling Alliance for European Integration may try to unite with Romania.

Alliance leaders have adamantly denied these allegations, and independent analysts think the accusations are unfounded.

Moldova (without Transnistria) was part of Romania between the two world wars, but was occupied by the Soviet Union afterwards. After the USSR collapsed, a portion of the population and the political elites in the country sought reunification.

It is unclear how many people want reunification since there has been no consistent polling on the matter, but the topic is certainly visible in the public sphere in the country.