What is happening today in the eastern region of Ukraine unfortunately very much resembles the pattern used by Moscow in Transnistria in Moldova. It is clearly in the interest of Moscow to have a protracted, frozen conflict on our territory. The reasons for this are very obvious. First, Moldova is being used as a buffer zone between NATO and the EU, which stops at the western border of Moldova. You see from the map that Moldova is bordering Romania, which is part of NATO and the European Union. To have Moldova under Russian control is actually what Russia wants to maintain. This influence will be used by Russia any time it feels any future potential threats to its territory, although we don't have a common border with Russia.
What is happening in Transnistria and this frozen conflict very much gives Russia a good example of what to do with the Donbass region. We have been warning our Ukrainian friends of the so-called threat of the Transnistriazation of Donbass. Russia would prefer to have that region in a protracted conflict, which will be used as a button whenever Russia needs it.
Thank you.