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Chișinăul îi va interzice liderului transnistrean să părăsească Republica Moldova timp de 5 ani, după ce a fost decorat de Putin la Moscova

Gabriel Dumitrache

5 November 2026, 13:42

Republic of Moldova

Diego Herrera/SOPA Images / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia

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The authorities of the Republic of Moldova are preparing a ban that would prevent the separatist leader in Tiraspol, Vadim Krasnoselski, from leaving the country for five years after his return from Russia. The measure is announced amid heightened tensions, shortly after Vladimir Putin awarded him the “Order of Honor.”

Krasnoselski will be able to return to Transnistria, but Chișinău intends to subsequently restrict his travel outside the Republic of Moldova. Prime Minister Vasile Tofan says that this solution would prevent the separatist leader from using a possible entry ban as a reason to remain in Russia.

The Moldovan official accused Moscow of trying to provoke new tensions and suggested that the leader in Tiraspol might prefer to remain in Moscow. Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu called the decoration of Krasnoselski a provocation and emphasized that the Transnistrian region belongs to the Republic of Moldova.

Krasnoselski does not hold Moldovan citizenship, but Russian citizenship, meaning that the authorities can apply legislation concerning the stay of foreign citizens. To impose the restriction, documentation of the violations and the issuance of a reasoned administrative act are required. The measure is being discussed ahead of the elections unrecognized by Chișinău, scheduled for December 13, and amid uncertainties regarding the supply of gas to Transnistria in 2027.

Context: heightened tensions in Transnistria and election-related pressure

Before the announcement regarding restrictions on the separatist leader’s movements, Tiraspol extended the heightened terrorist alert level by another 60 days, with the measure set to remain in effect until December 29, 2026. The alert was initially introduced in April 2022, following explosions and security incidents reported by the separatist administration, and was subsequently temporarily reduced but maintained through successive extensions.

Against the backdrop of political tensions, Chișinău also condemned Russia’s plan to additionally open 16 polling stations in Transnistria for the legislative elections in September, characterizing the action as uncoordinated with the Moldovan authorities and a violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity.