Russia’s foreign minister has warned that any actions seen as endangering Russian peacekeepers in a separatist region of Moldova would be considered as an attack on Russia itself.
„Everyone must understand that any action that will endanger the security of our military personnel will be considered, in accordance with international law, as an attack on the Russian Federation,” Sergey Lavrov said Thursday during a meeting with students.
His statement prompted fresh concerns that the separatist region of Trans-Dniester in eastern Moldova which borders Ukraine, could be drawn into the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Russia stationed peacekeepers there in 1992 at end of a war over fears that Moldova would reunite with Romania. Russian forces also guard a large ammunition dump in the region.
Trans-Dniester is not recognized internationally, even by Russia.
In April, tensions in Moldova soared after a series of explosions in the republic.
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