In confidence-building attempt, Chisinau to facilitate border crossing by Transnistrian residents with Russian and Ukrainian passports

Deputy Prime Minister Victor Osipov, who is responsible for the resolution of the Transnistrian conflict, announced on December 31 that Chisinau would "facilitate the crossing of the Moldovan-Ukrainian border for Russian and Ukrainian citizens residing in Transnistria during the winter holidays."

This policy will apply from December 29 to January 18 since a considerable amount of people in this region celebrate the winter holidays according to the Julian (Old Style) calendar, according to which Christmas and New Year's take place 13 days after the New Style dates (December 25 and January 1).

Mr. Osipov said that Chisinau made the decision in an attempt at "confidence-building" and the "creation of favorable prerequisites" for the resolution of the Transnistrian conflict.