I know where Transnistria is.... It's in Moldova. Not a single (non-russian) UN entity recognizes ANY claim by russia on this region as legitimate. Regardless of whether russians are there not or not does not make any claim legitimate. Hell, the russians are in the Donbass... should we recognize that as well?

My point is the same... the russians are stirring up trouble so that they can "come to the rescue"... just like they are trying right now in Ukraine. So... any attempt by russia to "claim" they are simply protecting their own is total bullshit. They shouldn't be there in the first place. And if Moldova asks NATO for help, they should get it.