During a visit to Moscow, Moldovan President Voronin met his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on January 22, and said Chisinau hoped for the two countries' relationship to "evolve into a true strategic partnership. The meeting is seen as a further sign of a rapprochement between Moscow and Chisinau following Putin's decision to lift bans on the import of Moldovan wine, spirits, meat, fruit, and vegetables.
The talks, like other recent meetings between Voronin and Putin, produced little public information about the state of bilateral relations and fueled suspicion that Voronin and Putin may be nearing an understanding about the future of Transdniester, the break-away region of Moldova.
A report of a pending deal on Transdniester in April 2007 was followed by a flurry of diplomatic activity aimed at reviving the so-called 5+2 talks on Transdniester's status. These multilateral talks have not been resumed yet.
The talks, like other recent meetings between Voronin and Putin, produced little public information about the state of bilateral relations and fueled suspicion that Voronin and Putin may be nearing an understanding about the future of Transdniester, the break-away region of Moldova.
A report of a pending deal on Transdniester in April 2007 was followed by a flurry of diplomatic activity aimed at reviving the so-called 5+2 talks on Transdniester's status. These multilateral talks have not been resumed yet.