Romanian President Traian Basescu recently said he was worried about the situation in nearby Transnistria, adding that Crimea was the main target for Russia, but the next target would be going up the Danube.

“I fear it and I say it without any restraints, although it's risky: I am worried about Transnistria, not necessarily for the entire Republic of Moldova, because it’s impossible not to look on the map,” said the President during a TV show at local Digi24 television.

He added that he is not spreading anti-Russian propaganda but “without knowing, I am making suppositions, because Russia became unpredictable and so, as head of state, you have to try to make assumptions”.

In his opinion, “Crimea was the target zero and the target one is returning to the Danube entry, meaning from Crimea to Odessa and then to the Chilia Branch”.

“I don’t want to launch some alarmist analysis but, categorically, if Putin will decide to return peacefully, or less peacefully, to the Danube entry, Transnistria will be lost,” added Basescu.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com