Moldova denies airspace to Russian Deputy PM Rogozin's jet in new spat over Transnistria

Moldova denies airspace to Russian Deputy PM Rogozin's jet in new spat over Transnistria
By bne IntelliNews July 20, 2017

Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin plans to go ahead with visits to Moldova and the separatist republic of Transnistria despite his military plane being denied overflight rights by Moldova’s government. 

The relationship between the Moldovan authorities and the separatist regime in Transnistria have deteriorated in the past year. Chisinau’s decision to cut the electricity purchases from Transnistria and set up joint border checkpoints with Ukraine on Transnistria’s border put severe economic strain on the separatist region.

On July 19, Moldova’s pro-EU government said the military jet bearing the Russian official delegation could not fly to Chisinau and further to Transnistria’s capital city Tiraspol because “at this moment the necessary conditions for such flights are not met”. The government has not denied the entry of the Russian officials, but has not approved the flight permission for the military plane either.

However, Rogozin confirmed to Ria Novosti that he still planned to visit Moldovan President Igor Dodon and the authorities in Transnistria to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the (Russian) peacekeeping operation in the breakaway republic. 

“I did not understand who or what forbade me. I will land and meet President Dodon and the leadership of Transnistria. … I was invited by President Dodon. As regards the transport means [to be used by the Russian delegation], I will inform the representatives of the host side, but not those who make provocative statements,” Rogozin stated in a tweet.

It remains unclear who the “host side” mentioned by Rogozin would be: the Moldovan government, the Moldovan president or the leadership in Tiraspol. 

The Russian minister also commented on the “anti-Russian rhetoric” from the head of the Moldovan ruling coalition, Vlad Plahotniuc, which he said made it impossible to hold a joint celebration of the peacekeeping mission in Transnistria.

Meanwhile, pro-Russian Dodon confirmed he had invited Rogozin and was expecting him. He criticised the government’s decision, calling it a manifestation of "double standards".

Romania’s decision in this case remains critical. With Ukraine not being an option, Rogozin has to cross Romania en route to Moldova and Transnistria. In a similar situation in 2014, Romania denied overflight rights to Rogozin’s military plane on his return from Transnistria having allowed him to use his jet on his way there. This forced Rogozin to take a commercial flight on his return from Transnistria, which created an opportunity for the Moldovan authorities to seize documents given to Rogozin by Transnistrian officials.

Asked by Ria Novosti how Rogozin would travel to Moldova, the office of the Russian deputy prime minister refused to comment.

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