US political scientists: Ukraine should maintain status quo in Transdniestrian conflict

Kyiv, June 14 (Interfax-Ukraine) – U.S. political analysts have advised Ukraine to maintain the status quo in the settlement of the Transdniestrian conflict.

"It is in the interests of Ukraine to maintain an open status quo position," Southeastern European politics and history expert, Dr. Srdja Trifkovic, said at a press conference at the Interfax-Ukraine news agency on Tuesday.

He said that Ukraine should encourage Moldova's position, which foresees equidistance from both Russia and the West.

Director of the American Institute in Ukraine Anthony Salvia, in turn, said that the best option for settling the conflict would be the dismissal of Igor Smirnov as Transdniestrian president.

"The best way to solve this situation would be the replacement of Igor Smirnov as president of Transdniestria. He has brought the country that he has ruled for 20 years to a dead end," the expert said.

The experts agreed that Ukraine should actively work in the diplomatic sphere under any form of multilateral effort to resolve the status of Transdniestria.

Earlier reports said that formal negotiations on the Transdniestrian settlement in the 5+2 format would resume in late June.

"We want to reach agreement with all parties at a meeting in Moscow on June 21 in order to officially resume political settlement," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in Odesa on June 4.