The final cut: Transnistria

Trans what? Never heard of it

Let’s hope it stays that way. A senior Nato general has warned that this tiny
east European breakaway state could be next on Vladimir Putin’s shopping
list, now that the Russian president has had a practice run by annexing
Crimea.

Where is it?

Transnistria – or Transdniester – is a narrow strip of about 1,600 square
miles between Ukraine and Moldova, separated from Moldova by the Dniester
river, with a population of about 550,000.

Are 1,600 square miles really worth invading?

The idea of a Russian invasion was raised last week by US General Philip
Breedlove, Nato’s supreme allied commander in Europe. He said: “There is
absolutely sufficient forces postured on the eastern border of Ukraine to
run to Transnistria if the decision was to be made. And that is very
worrisome.”

Very worrisome?

It wouldn’t particularly worry the people of Transnistria, which appears to be