This paper investigates the latest development of the escalating conflict in Transnistria and try to explain it through the theory of national identity via a discourse analysis.

In the shadows of the ongoing war in Ukraine, another post-Soviet conflict has started to re-escalate. Next to Ukraine, in Moldova, a so called “de facto state” exists, Transnistria. The region has been in a conflict with Moldova, since the fall of the Soviet Union. This is not totally uncommon, as a handful of unstable post-soviet de facto states exists. What is quite rare on the other hand, is that a relatively calm conflict, seemingly under control, changes so quickly and becomes potentially dangerous and violent in a short amount of time. Furthermore, the escalation is seemingly in correlation with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

One of the dominant theories within post-soviet studies, and most suitable for this analysis is the ideas of the construction of national identities. National identities can be constructed in different ways but one of the most important factors for a national identity are the political leaders of a nation. Leaders have a unique possibility to construct and alter a nations identity, often with the reason to legitimize future political decision making. This is what makes the theory so interesting, not only can it analyze the past, but it can also help us estimate and professionally guess the future. If a certain pattern can be identified in the discourse, future actions can be estimated.                

The paper will first try to understand the national identity of Transnistria through the three different historical leaders and how they separately have constructed the national identity. They will therefore be subject of the discourse analysis. Based on the construction of the national identity, their political objectives can be better understood.

Hopefully, a better understanding of the situation can be achieved, and be used as a toolbox on how to understand and analyze other post-soviet de facto states in the future.