Moscow is worried about the absence of progress in the Transdniestria settlement negotiations; the Ukrainian position on this matter has a negative influence on the regional situation, Russian State Secretary - Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin has said.

"The appointment of a new Ukrainian political representative to the 5+2 negotiating format that has been delayed since May 2015 is an indicator of the evolution of the Kyiv position on the Transdniestria settlement process. It is also worrisome that not a single meeting was held in that negotiating format in 2015," Karasin told Interfax in an interview.

Moscow regrets that "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," the Russian deputy foreign minister said.

"This pressure has seriously exacerbated the already complicated socioeconomic situation in Transdniestria," the Russian diplomat said.

In the opinion of 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.