Russia plans Duma voting in Transnistria; Moldova calls move unfriendly

Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova asserted that over 200,000 Russian citizens live in Transnistria and that Chisinau cannot block their participation in the State Duma elections scheduled for 18-20 September. Moldova's Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi rejected the claim as tendentious and labeled Moscow's plan to open unauthorized polling stations in the breakaway region as unfriendly. This escalates tensions over Transnistria's status and Russia's influence in Moldova, with implications for regional stability and EU integration efforts.