Transnistrian leader: We are willing to host Russian missiles on our territory

Transnistrian leader Igor Smirnov said earlier this week that the separatist region would be willing to host Russian missiles on its territory.

The move is most likely a response to Romania accepting to host parts of the American missile shield system directed to protect against threats from the Middle East.

Transnistria still hosts over 1,000 Russian troops on its territory, as well as a large array of Soviet-era arsenals. Chisinau does not control this piece of land.

The separatists get political and economic support from the Kremlin, and there are most likely over 100,000 residents in the region that hold Russian passports.

Russian officials have not yet commented on this offer. Deputy Prime Minister Victor Osipov, who is responsible for the resolution of the Transnistrian conflict, said that since Moldova is a neutral country, foreign military presence on Moldovan soil is unacceptable.