MOSCOW. Nov 30 (Interfax) - Moldovan President elect Maia Sandu did not discuss with Moscow her idea of replacing Russian peacekeepers stationed in Transdniestria with OSCE monitors before the idea was put forward, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
"No, the issue was not discussed in advance," Peskov said in response to the relevant media question on Monday.
Sandu presented the initiative at a press conference on Monday.
"We believe there is a great need for a more balanced approach in the context of our bilateral relations. As you know, the dialogue with [incumbent Moldovan President Igor] Dodon is ongoing, and it has been much more constructive in this respect," Peskov said.
"We are hoping that the constructive attitude will prevail, a certain kind of continuity will be insured, and we will keep in mind all the possible negative consequences of any abrupt moves," Peskov said.
As to what terms Russia could agree on to pull out its peacekeepers from Transdniestria, Peskov said, "Russia is performing extremely important functions and, obviously, the change of any status quo based on the letter and the spirit of international law could clearly trigger a major destabilization."
"Therefore, of course, we are expecting everything to be discussed and any abrupt moves to be avoided in this context," he said.
Sandu called on Monday for discussing the pullout of Russian forces from Transdniestria with Moscow.
"There are two groups of Russian forces in the Transdniestria region. There is an operative group of Russian forces stationed in the Moldovan territory without any official documents whatsoever. There has never been an agreement on the deployment of these forces, and Moldova has not given its consent to the presence of this group of forces in our country. These forces, just like the weapon systems and ammunition they are safeguarding, should be withdrawn," Sandu said at her first press conference as the president elect on Monday.
There is another group of Russian forces in Moldova, i.e. the peacekeepers, Sandu said. "The peacekeeping forces are stationed in Moldova consistent with the agreement of July 21, 1992. There is no risk of recurrence of an armed conflict nowadays. So, we suggest that the peacekeeping operation be transformed into an international civilian mission operating under the OSCE mandate. This is not a new stance, this is the official stance of Moldova that has been repeatedly declared over the years," she said.
"We can see that Russia thinks differently. So, we will establish a dialogue, will begin negotiations, and will hold the discussion. We are an independent country, which does not want foreign troops to be present on its territory. We will be conducting negotiations. Last year, when I was the prime minister, we could see that Russia was open to such talks," Sandu said.