Ukraine Is the Only Country Able to Resolve Transnistria Problem, Scientist Claims

Renowned Ukrainian political scientist Alexander Kusko of the Center for Peace and Ukraine's External Policy believes that his native country is the only one able to settle the Transnistria problem. Such conclusion was formulated in a research published in Kiev recently.

"Ukraine is the only player capable of settling the Transnistria conflict, and this fact is a key to the European Union. The European Union's attempts to play the leading role in Transnistria is leading to a lack of instruments or political will for using the Balkan model in conflict zones. That is why one of the European Union's priority tasks is the building up of pressure on countries possessing a certain strength in the region - on Russia and, particularly, on Ukraine", presumes the political scientist.

In his belief, Ukraine may influence on both conflicting sides, for it has "a unique influence on Transnistria... They are waiting for Ukraine to head an effective policy in that question. Informally, the conflict settlement has already been presented as a key to Ukraine's accession to the European Union".

In that research, Susko described in detail Ukraine's plans in the Black Sea region - such as energy transportation corridors, regional cooperation, etc. - under a pretext that this region should be recognized as an area of Ukraine's natural interests. The document also emphasized that "Ukraine must play a considerable role in the building of a new system of regional order".