Moldova: Restarting Reunification Talks

Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin on April 11 met face-to-face with Igor Smirnov, leader of Molodva's secessionist Transdniestria province, for the first time since 2001. The two leaders restarted reunification talks that had been stalled since 2006. Russia made sure that the Transdniestrian leader complied, but not out of concern for Moldova. Rather, the talks are meant to show Ukraine that Moscow's power is far-reaching.