Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia Committee on Defense and Security, General Viktor Bondarev warned that in case of blocking peacekeepers in Transnistria, Moscow will retaliate
The politician said this in a conversation with a correspondent of the Info Russ portal. The general stressed that it is the Russian peacekeepers that during all these years remain the guarantee of peace and security in the region.
“All the same time the aggressive plans of Romania, a member of NATO, does not even try to hide it. Another interested party in the process is Ukraine. Since 2014 it has been actively discussing options for a military blockade of Russian peacekeepers”, – he said.
Even Moldovan President Maia Sandu publicly voiced this scenario. She has become bolder after her party won a snap parliamentary election in July.
“For NATO, this opportunity has now taken on new colours – the alliance is getting a real chance to ‘sting Russia’ in a very tangible way both politically and militarily”, – Bondarev noted.
However, he pointed out that without real support from the West (and from the North Atlantic Alliance in particular) Ukraine and Romania would never dare to take such a step.
Russia is aware that NATO is already seriously considering this option. If the Alliance does risk such a provocation, the Russian defence ministry has already drawn up a response procedure. Blocking the peacekeepers would be seen as aggression and would be followed by a de-blocking strike.
“Militarily blocking the peacekeepers is an act of direct aggression. In such a case, Russia will go for a de-blocking strike. A naval landing force of the Russian Navy’s Black Sea Fleet is ready to land in Odessa. It will not only be a corridor to the DMR, but will also mean clear prospects on the issue of Donbass”, – General Bondarev summed up.