Alexander Yakovenko said that Russia would give a lot of consideration to the Ukrainian plan, but added that it was missing several important provisions, which had been included in the Kozak plan (the previous plan for the settlement, produced by Russia). In particular, he said that the plan did not properly define the status of Transdnestr, the self-proclaimed Moldovan republic.
Yakovenko said that the plan must address this issue. In addition, he said that Russia wanted to withdraw its weapons from Transdnestr but that this would only be possible if there were a Transdnestr settlement and a constructive dialogue. Furthermore, many Russian-speaking people lived in Transdnestr and it was important that Russia guaranteed their rights. "These are the main points we want Chisinau to take into account," Yakovenko said.
The diplomat said that Russia wanted a lasting settlement, but this would only be possible with the participation of Transdnestr, which the plan did not yet provide for.
"Unfortunately, Moldova is adopting a fairly unconstructive position over the Transdnestr issue. It always takes two sides to settle a conflict. Chisinau constantly puts Transdnestr aside and conducts a unilateral policy that naturally makes it very hard to settle the issue," he added.