The allegation by Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin that Ukraine's actions negatively affect the negotiations on the Transdniestrian settlement shows Russia's continuing interference in the affairs of sovereign states, and its use of military and political pressure against them, MP Iryna Friz of the Petro Poroshenko Bloc has said.

"The allegation by the Kremlin Foreign Ministry about the possibility of growing tension in connection with the organization by Ukraine and Moldova of the common customs and border control on Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transdniestria) cannot be viewed as anything other than the sign of the future pressure by Russia and its actions to destabilize the situation in the region and possible provocations by Russian security structures and the network of agents on the border line," Friz wrote on her Facebook page.

Russia's position "has always been invariably destructive and has always affected the interests of the inhabitants of Transdniestria," the lawmaker said. "It limits the ability of Tiraspol's development within Moldova, and the sustainable economic and social development of the population of this region," Friz wrote.

The MP expressed her belief that the official Tiraspol should demonstrate greater efforts to establish a dialogue with Chisinau, and to continue negotiations with the EU for the creation and implementation of the new roadmap, which envisages the rapprochement of Transdniestria and Moldova and the withdrawal of the Russian military contingent from its territory.

As reported, Russian State Secretary - Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said on January 2 that Moscow was worried about the absence of progress in the Transdniestria settlement negotiations; and accused Ukraine of having a negative influence on the regional situation.

In his opinion, "following the change of regime in Kyiv in February 2014 Ukraine not only shifted away from unbiased mediation in the dialogue between Chisinau and Tiraspol but also took a course towards intimidating the international public with the military threat allegedly coming from Transdniestria and the open economic and transport 'smothering' of the Dniester's left bank. "This pressure has seriously exacerbated the already complicated socioeconomic situation in Transdniestria," the Russian diplomat said.

According to Karasin, tensions may escalate "with the fulfillment of plans of Moldova and Ukraine to organize joint customs and border control for Transdniestria." "This means, for instance, that since January 1, 2016, a decision of Ukrainian and Moldovan sides will change the scheme of clearance of cargo made in Transdniestria. According to Tiraspol's estimates, the additional tax burden on Transdniestrian enterprises will top $4 million," he said.