Transnistrians want out
The week's news at a glance.
Tiraspol, Moldova
Residents of the breakaway Transnistria region of Moldova voted overwhelmingly this week to join Russia. The region, largely populated by ethnic Russians and Ukrainians, has been agitating to leave Moldova ever since the country gained independence through the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union. Moldova refused to recognize the referendum. “A family clan is ruling in Transnistria,” Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev said. “This is dangerous not only for Moldova and Ukraine but also for Europe and the whole world.” Tarlev said a son of Transnistrian leader Igor Smirnov is a major arms dealer who sells to shady groups. Transnistria, which makes up just one-eighth of Moldova’s territory but has two-fifths of its industry, actually borders on Ukraine, not Russia.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Georgia's new foreign influence bill
Under the Radar Critics claim the 'Russian law' could stifle dissent and wreck the country's chances of joining the EU
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
'Making a police state out of the liberal university'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
8 looming climate tipping points that imperil our planet
The Explainer New reports detail the thresholds we may be close to crossing
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published