Zelensky: simplified passporting of Transnistria threatens the security of Moldova and Ukraine

In May 2026, when Moscow again simplified the issuance of passports to residents of the left bank of the Dniester, Kyiv made it clear: Moldova's stability is also Ukrainian security.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in an evening address on May 16, 2026, instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to immediately establish closer coordination with Chisinau. The reason was the decree of the Russian president, which made it even easier for Transnistrians to obtain Russian citizenship. Kyiv perceives this step not as a humanitarian concern, but as another attempt to consolidate its presence on the territory of a neighboring state.

What exactly did Putin's decree change?

The new decree, signed on May 14, 2026, abolishes the requirement for five years of residence in Russia for residents of Transnistria. It is enough to confirm the fact of birth or long-term residence in the region and submit an application through a simplified procedure. According to the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, in the first three days after the decree came into force, more than 4,7 thousand applications were received. This is 38% more than in the same period in 2025.

Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War note that simplifying passporting traditionally precedes an increase in military presence. A task force of Russian troops numbering about 1,500 people, as well as units of the FSB and GRU, is already in Transnistria. New citizens automatically become subject to military service, which creates an additional reserve for possible replenishment.

Kyiv's reaction: from words to concrete steps

Zelensky directly stated that Russia "designates the territory of Transnistria as its own." He recalled that Moscow has repeatedly assured international partners that it is only interested in Donbas. Now, according to the president, it is becoming obvious that the appetites are much broader. The head of state instructed the Foreign Intelligence Service and the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense to prepare response options, in particular in the format of joint actions with Moldova.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has already begun consultations with its Chisinau counterparts. According to sources in diplomatic circles, an online meeting of the deputy foreign ministers of the two countries is scheduled for May 18. They will discuss mechanisms for joint border monitoring and economic pressure on Transnistrian enterprises that still use Russian gas at preferential prices.

Moldova: chances for reintegration and new challenges

Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu said on May 12 that the chances for the peaceful reintegration of Transnistria are “greater than ever.” The Chisinau government continues its “soft power” policy: gradually reducing Russian gas supplies, blocking smuggling schemes, and supporting Transnistrian entrepreneurs who are willing to work under Moldovan law. According to the National Bank of Moldova, in the first quarter of 2026, exports from the left bank to the EU increased by 22% compared to last year.

At the same time, Chisinau is aware of the risks. The Russian military contingent and intelligence structures in Transnistria remain the main destabilizing factor. Moldovan special services have recorded the activation of pro-Russian Telegram channels that call for the "protection of the Russian-speaking population."

International context and position of partners

The European Union issued a statement on May 15 calling on Russia to respect Moldova's sovereignty and stop passporting. In Washington, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the United States was closely monitoring the situation and was ready to provide additional support to Chisinau under the Moldova - Security and Resilience program. NATO, for its part, confirmed that it had no plans to deploy troops to Moldova, but would step up training missions for Moldovan forces.

Ukraine and Moldova already have experience working together. In 2024–2025, the parties held several rounds of consultations on border security and combating smuggling. Now, according to sources in Brussels, Kyiv and Chisinau are considering the possibility of creating a joint coordination center to monitor the situation in Transnistria.

The economic dimension of the conflict

Transnistria is still largely dependent on Russian gas, which comes through Ukraine. After the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine was stopped at the end of 2024, Moldova began purchasing natural gas on European markets. This has created additional financial pressure on the Tiraspol administration. According to experts, the Transnistrian budget is short by about $180–200 million annually due to the loss of preferential supplies.

Zelenskyy in his address directly advised Russia to “think more about its oil refineries and oil transit,” hinting at the vulnerability of Russia’s energy infrastructure. This phrase, according to diplomats, became a signal that Kyiv was ready to use all available levers, including economic ones.

What's next

A series of bilateral meetings at the level of ministers and heads of special services are expected in the coming weeks. Ukraine and Moldova plan to agree on a common position before the summit of the European Political Community, which will be held in Moldova in June 2026. The main goal is to prevent further escalation and preserve the chances for the peaceful reintegration of Transnistria.

The situation around the left bank of the Dniester River remains one of the most sensitive elements of regional security. Each new decree from Moscow on simplified citizenship is perceived in Kyiv and Chisinau not as a gesture of kindness, but as another step towards consolidating the presence. Whether a new hotbed of tension on the borders can be avoided depends largely on how well Ukraine and Moldova act.

Sources

1. Address by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, May 16, 2026.
2. Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of May 14, 2026 on a simplified procedure for acquiring citizenship.
3. Statement by the Prime Minister of Moldova, Alexandru Muntean, May 12, 2026.
4. Institute for the Study of War, Daily Review, May 15, 2026.
5. Statement by the EU Delegation to Ukraine, May 15, 2026.
6. Comment by US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, May 15, 2026.
7. Data from the National Bank of Moldova, first quarter of 2026.