VIDEO | Putin awards separatist leader Vadim Krasnoselsky for “defending the Russian language.” Kremlin rewards Tiraspol’s loyalty, while Moscow’s troops continue to be illegally stationed in Moldova

The separatist leader from Tiraspol, Vadim Krasnoselski, was decorated by Vladimir Putin with the Order of Honor, a distinction through which the Kremlin reaffirms its political support for the separatist administration on the left bank of the Dniester. According to information about the ceremony from the Kremlin, the Russian president praised the leadership of the region, citing the defense of the rights of the inhabitants, the preservation of the Russian language and the so-called "historical truth". The gesture takes place in the context in which Krasnoselski constantly promotes rapprochement with Moscow, and the Russian Federation continues to maintain troops on the territory of the Republic of Moldova, despite Chisinau's requests for their withdrawal.

"Despite difficult conditions and attempts at external pressure, the republic is consistently developing under his leadership, and its inhabitants, of different nationalities, together defend their rights and interests, defend historical truth and preserve the Russian language", the Russian president said while handing him the award at the Kremlin.

With this statement, Putin presented the separatist administration as a guarantor of the region's stability and identity, but avoided the issue of its international status. The Transnistrian region is part of the Republic of Moldova, and the independence of the self-proclaimed republic is not recognized even by the Russian Federation.

Krasnoselsky distinguished himself throughout his term by promoting the privileged relationship with Moscow and supporting the Russian presence in the region. His administration continued to invoke Russia as its main partner and security guarantor, while the separatist structures maintained a political and informational orientation strongly favorable to the Kremlin.

This political loyalty is manifested, including through the promotion of Russian symbols and historical narratives, as well as through opposition to Chisinau's measures to gradually integrate the region into the legal and economic space of the Republic of Moldova.