USA and EU add more sanctions; whereas Transnistria Assembly wants to be part of Russia and/or its Eurasian Economic Union

Ukraine-Russia Controlled Territories as of 17 February 2024 (Viewsridge)

Tomorrow marks the second anniversary of Russia’s ‘Special Military Operation’ into Ukraine.

Partially because of that, and perhaps mainly also because of the recent death of Alexei Navalny, additional sanctions against Russia have been announced.

The Associated Press reported the following:

US and EU pile new sanctions on Russia for the Ukraine war’s 2nd anniversary and Navalny’s death

February 23, 2024

The United States and the European Union are piling new sanctions on Russia on the eve of the second anniversary of its invasion of Ukraine and in retaliation for the death of noted Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny last week in an Arctic penal colony.

The U.S. Treasury Department plans Friday to impose more than 500 new sanctions on Russia and its war machine in the largest single tranche of penalties since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. They come on the heels of a series of new arrests and indictments announced by the Justice Department on Thursday that target Russian businessmen, including the head of Russia’s second-largest bank, and their middlemen in five separate federal cases.

The European Union announced Friday that it is imposing sanctions on several foreign companies over allegations that they have exported dual-use goods to Russia that could be used in its war against Ukraine. The 27-nation bloc also said that it was targeting scores of Russian officials, including “members of the judiciary, local politicians and people responsible for the illegal deportation and military re-education of Ukrainian children.” …

The EU asset freezes and travel bans constitute the 13th package of measures imposed by the bloc against people and organizations it suspects of undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. https://apnews.com/article/european-union-sanctions-russia-ukraine-war-28a5d7faabbcbc5fe3a0de3ec84fd87d

The USA and EU have been using sanctions against Russia for a very long time. While intended to punish Russia, the sanctions have hurt both the USA as well as EU. And in many ways have hurt certain EU nations more than they have hurt Russia.

As regular readers of this COGwriter Church of God News page are aware, I have long warned about sanctions. Many of which were imposed against Russia in 2014 after its annexation of Crimea.

Now back on March 18, 2019, I posted:

It remains my view that Crimea and at least parts of eastern Ukraine will ultimately align with Russia.

International sanctions will not stop biblical prophecies from being fulfilled. (Thiel B. ‘Putin in Crimea as Russia Marks Five Years Since Annexation’ the ‘Kings of the Medes’ will arise. COGwriter, March 18, 2019)

And the events of the past two years confirmed my view that sanctions and threats of sanctions would not stop Russia from having territories align with it. Additionally, Russia has ended up with at least two parts of eastern Ukraine aligning with it.

Back in 2018, after Donald Trump pushed more sanctions, we even put out the following video:

US Sanctions and Tariffs leading to New World Order?

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said new US sanctions would be a declaration of economic war. Iran, North Korea, China, Europe, and Turkey are also upset about USA sanctions and tariffs. A Turk asserted “Somebody must find a solution and stop the USA.” The BRICS nations see US sanctions and tariffs as helpful to their objectives to trade without the USA. Are “unintended consequences” of USA policies threatening the current Anglo-American world order and leading to a New World Order? What has ‘Lord’ Jacob Rothschild and Russian President Vladimir Putin stated? Does Bible prophecy show that a confederation of Turks, Arabs, and Europeans pose a real threat to the USA and UK? Is the final time of the Gentiles coming? Will it be worse than people imagine? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more. Here is a link to our video: US Sanctions and Tariffs leading to New World Order?

The Obama, Trump, and Biden Administrations, along with the EU, have imposed numerous sanctions against Russia.

But sanctions did not stop Russia.

Furthermore, on February 22, 2022, two days before Russia’s ‘special military operation’ into Ukraine began, I posted: “I expect that Donetsk and Luhansk will either be annexed by Russia and/or join its Eurasian Economic Union.” And that has happened.

One of the untended consequences of the Crimea-related sanctions was that Russia took steps to be more “sanctions-proof.” And while Russia is affected by the Western sanctions, they have not toppled Russia like the USA and EU wanted. For example, notice the following Voice of America reported the end of March 2022:

Russia’s Ruble Rebound Raises Questions of Sanctions’ Impact

March 31, 2022

The ruble is no longer rubble. …

President Joe Biden promoted the success of the sanctions — some of the toughest ever imposed on a nation — while he was in Poland last week. “The ruble almost is immediately reduced to rubble,” Biden said.

https://www.voanews.com/a/russia-s-ruble-rebound-raises-questions-of-sanctions-impact-/6509012.html

While sanctions do impact the Russian economy, there are costs to those who impose sanctions. US President Joe Biden’s statement of the ruble’s (also spelled rouble) demise to rubble were premature at best.

And according to CBS, a couple of months later, the ruble became the world’s best performing currency:

Russia’s ruble is the strongest currency in the world this year

May 27, 2022

The Russian ruble is the best-performing currency in the world this year

Two months after the ruble’s value fell to less than a U.S. penny amid the swiftest, toughest economic sanctions in modern history, Russia’s currency has mounted a stunning turnaround. The ruble has jumped 40% against the dollar since January. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/russia-ruble-currency-2022/

Western sanctions pushed Russia to take steps. And yes, several of the moves against Russia are inflicting pain outside of Russia.

Notice also the following:

As US, EU Pile New Sanctions On Russia, WSJ Declares Punitive Measures Already “Failed”

February 23, 2024

The US and EU on Friday are piling on fresh anti-Russia sanctions as the war in Ukraine reaches two years (Saturday marking the date of the invasion) and in the wake of Alexei Navalny’s death in prison last week, which Russia has officially said was due to “natural causes”. …

The new Friday statement prepared by the White House additionally stated, “Two years ago, he tried to wipe Ukraine off the map. If Putin does not pay the price for his death and destruction, he will keep going.”

As for “paying the price” – just as Biden issued these words, The Wall Street Journal observed that two years after the invasion, the “biggest ever” sanctions are failing and have failed:

Two years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Western sanctions have failed in their most important task—stopping the Kremlin’s war machine.

Western officials and experts say the financial, economic, military and energy sanctions imposed on Russia since February 2022 have damaged Russia’s economy and arms-production capacity, and will create serious problems for the Kremlin in the coming years. But they acknowledge the restrictions have hit more slowly than they hoped.

The report further acknowledges the merely symbolic nature of the new sanctions: “U.S. officials privately concede that the new measures set to to be announced Friday are likely to land a limited blow.” https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/us-eu-pile-new-sanctions-russia-wsj-declares-punitive-measures-already-failed

It should be noted that sanctions against Russia have not stopped some in Transnistria from wanting to be part of Russia.

If you look at the map at the beginning of this post, look to the southwest of Ukraine and you will see an outline of Moldova. Transnistria is more or less part of the northeast of Moldova that borders Ukraine. Russia actually would like to add enough territory that Ukraine now holds to connect it to Transnistria.

Many in Transnistria want to be part of Russia or at least part of its Eurasian Economic Union as the following shows:

Transnistria Assembly Fuels Speculation Separatist State Aims To Join Russia

February 22, 2024

The faltering bid of congressional warhawks to continue to provide Ukraine with a blank check isn’t the only sign of Russia’s geopolitical strength in eastern Europe. As the future of the war in Ukraine hinges on that crucial aid package, another region has emerged as evidence of Russia’s growing sphere of influence. Pridnestrovie, a region bordering Ukraine known better under the western exonym Transnistria, is scheduled to address Russian President Vladimir Putin at its next congressional assembly on February 28th. The forthcoming address appears to the latest step in a trajectory trending toward the breakaway state seeking complete separation from Romania and assimilation into the Russian Federation.

Although Transnistria has diverse ethnic demographics almost equally apportioned between Russians, Moldovans, Romanians, and Ukrainians, the Russian demographic slightly ekes out its counterparts with a majority of 29% of Transnistrians belonging to the group. The pro-Russian cultural sentiment of the region is exemplified by its flag, which has remained the same as it was when Transnistria was a part of the Soviet Union. That representative Russian demographic, coupled with broader dissatisfaction of the Moldovan government has fostered support for assimilation into the Russian Federation for quite from time. In 2006, a Transnistrian double referendum was held gauging popular support for the separatist state’s appetite to either renounce its independence and join the Republic Of Moldova or to maintain it and seek to join the Russian Federation. The referendum to become part of Moldova was rejected by 96% of voters while 98% approved of becoming part of Russia.

The support for assimilation into the Russian Federation demonstrated by that referendum has not since waned. If anything, the 2014 Crimean referendum integrate itself with Russia and the subsequent western interventionism culminating in the onset of Russia-Ukraine War has only emboldened Transnistria’s aim. Vadim Krasnoselskii, President Of Transnistria, evidenced his people’s dissatisfaction with Moldova’s rule over the breakaway region by announcing the congressional assembly to deliberate over the future of the breakaway region on February 28th.

Although Krasnoselskii tempered the premise that the assembly was entirely designed as a bid to immediately seek Transnistrian ascension into the Russian Federation, Transnistrian MP Vadim Kravchuk told Tiraspol TV that the congress seeks to pursue that very goal. Kravchuk stated “Holding another referendum makes no sense, but it would be quite reasonable to confirm a previous decision…Transnistria expressed its desire to unite with Russia and the Eurasian Union back in 2006. The congress of the MPs of all levels will most likely confirm our intentions.” https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2024-02-22/transnistria-congressional-assembly-fuels-speculation-separatist-states-aim-join

While all in Transnistria are not in full agreement, the idea of Transnistria joining Russia somehow is not a new one.

A year ago, the BBC posted the following:

We want Russia to come, say Moldova protesters

20 February 2023

Energy bills here now consume more than 70% of household income, according to Moldova’s president.

Ala tells me they swallow half of her pension.

“When we elected this government, they promised to raise salaries and pensions, but so far we haven’t seen a penny,” she says.

Sunday’s protests, organised by Moldova’s pro-Russian Sor party, are being closely watched by governments across Europe and beyond. Most protesters travelled to the capital city Chisinau by bus, with their costs reportedly covered by the Sor party. …

Marina Tauber, Sor’s general secretary, who led today’s protest outside parliament, says that her party not opposed to the EU and wants good relations with all sides.

But there are those in her party who admit they would welcome Russian intervention. …

Orhei – an hour’s drive north of the capital Chisinau – is a Sor stronghold where we meet party Councillor Iurie Berenchi.

“We’re not afraid,” he told me, “Because if Russia wanted to take Moldova, they’d do it in half a day.”

When asked if she would welcome that, Mr Berenchi is unequivocal.

“In my personal opinion, yes,” he said. “With Russia we’d be much better off than we are now.”

Many people in Chisinau see closer ties with the West as a way to secure Moldova’s independence and democracy at a critical time. President Sandu’s party has a solid majority in parliament.

But the view from the crowd outside that parliament on Sunday was different, and there’s the risk the pressure could widen the splits in Moldova’s diverse society.

The risk is clear when Ala and her friends were asked whether they believe Russia wants to infiltrate Moldova, as their president fears.

“Yes, let them come!” they shout. “We want them to come here. We want to be part of Russia!” https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64700590

Yes, it has long been the case that a substantial minority in Moldova likes Russia and many want to be part of Russia. Notice something posted here back to 2014:

Notice that a region in Moldova is now pleading to become part of Russia as well:

March 18, 2014

Moldova’s Trans-Dniester region pleads to join Russia

Pro-Russian politicians and activists in Moldova’s breakaway Trans-Dniester region have asked the Russian parliament to draft a law that would allow their territory to join Russia.

The Trans-Dniestrian appeal comes as Moscow moves towards absorbing Crimea into the Russian Federation. Ukraine, the EU and US say that move is illegal.

Ethnic Russians dominate Trans-Dniester, with support from Moscow.

The region split from Moldova in a war in 1991-92, as the USSR was collapsing.

Moldova’s President Nicolae Timofti said in a news briefing on Tuesday that any decision by Moscow to accept Trans-Dniester “would be a step in the wrong direction”…

Irina Kubanskikh, spokeswoman for the Trans-Dniester parliament, told Itar-Tass news agency that the region’s public bodies had “appealed to the Russian Federation leadership to examine the possibility of extending to Trans-Dniester the legislation, currently under discussion in the State Duma, on granting Russian citizenship and admitting new subjects into Russia”. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26627236

March 18, 2014

ROMANIA’S president has said Russia is creating a chain of conflicts around the Black Sea to further President Vladimir Putin’s goal of rebuilding the former Soviet Union along its former border with the West.

Romanian President Traian Basescu, who spoke to The Associated Press in an interview, said he fears that neighbouring Moldova is “in great danger.”

“If you look at the map, you will see this chain of frozen conflicts” around the Black Sea “that can be set off at any time,” he said, referring to conflicts in Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova…

Russia has 1,500 troops stationed in the separatist republic of Trans-Dniester since 1990, when it broke away from Moldova, fearing that country would reunite with Romania. Trans-Dniester is not internationally recognised but is supported by Russia. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/romanias-president-says-moldova-next-in-soviet-expansion/story-e6frg6so-1226857651757

March 12, 2014

“The tense situation in Crimea is a threat to the security of the whole region,” Iurie Leanca, Moldova’s prime minister, said Monday, as reported by Reuters. “The evolution of the situation will create new problems and threats, both direct and indirect, for Moldova.”

Bordering Ukraine to the west and Romania to the east, Moldova sits on the northeast part of the Black Sea and views Russia’s encroachment on Crimea as dangerously close to home.

Already the country shares a tumultuous relationship with Russia. In 1992 a conflict erupted between Moldova’s government and ethnic-Russian separatists living in a breakaway territory within Moldova’s borders known as Transnistria…

While the majority of Moldovans see themselves as culturally close to Romania, 200,000 people in Transnistria are ethnic Russians and have Russian citizenship, which could serve as a pretext for Russian action. http://www.ibtimes.com/moldova-another-former-soviet-republic-worried-over-russias-move-crimea-1560938

The fact that Vladimir Putin wanted Crimea and has got it at minimal cost is likely going to be a factor in Russia’s view of the situation in Moldova. While much of Moldova wants to be part of the European Union, not all of it does. As Russia wants more supporters and less in the European Union, Russia will seriously consider the pros and cons of the Trans-Dniester region, as well as other parts of Moldova.

As I have written before, Vladimir Putin will use military action, and not just the threat of it, if he feels this will further his agenda without excessive international cost. He remains willing to do so. Those in Ukraine and Moldova realize this. (Thiel B. Putin declares Crimea is an inalienable part of Russia, while Moldova’s Trans-Dniester region pleads to join Russia. COGwriter, March 18, 2014)

And yes, since that was posted, Russia has taken military action in Ukraine (and ended up with territory) and may also do so in Moldova.

Related to Moldova, Russia, and Ukraine, here is something else which is in our free online book Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America?:

Moldova      Chaldeans/Madai …

Russia          Madai/Mesech …

Ukraine       Elam/Madai …

Slavic peoples tended to descend through those called Sarmatians, [i] which look to have descended from the biblical Elam and Madai.[ii]

The Slavic nations are in lands south and east of the Benelux nations—so consistent with Daniel 8:9, many in Slavic Europe will support the end time European power. …

That being said, some Elamites are believed to have been the progenitors of the Serbs,[iii] but some part of the Medes (from Madai) may also have been involved.

According to Herodotus, there were numerous tribes of the Medes.[iv] …

Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus tend to be considered as East Slavs. They tend to be descended from Japheth’s sons Madai, Tubal, Mechech, and Gomer (Genesis 10:2).

All of which have descendants in Russia. Belarus seems to have mainly descended from Madai (or possibly Midian).

There were numerous tribes of the Medes (which descended from Madai) with the Buzhians in the northwest part of Ukraine.[v]

Russia, which is both in Europe and Asia, will, for a time, prosper through trade with the coming European Beast (as will Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine). …

Peoples prophetically called Medes are also shown to destroy the final Babylon according to both Isaiah and Jeremiah:

¹ The burden against Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw…

¹⁷ “Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them,
Who will not regard silver; And as for gold, they will not delight in it. ¹⁸Also their bows will dash the young men to pieces, And they will have no pity on the fruit of the womb; Their eye will not spare children. ¹⁹ And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, The beauty of the Chaldeans’ pride, Will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. (Isaiah 13:1, 17-19)

¹¹ Make the arrows bright! Gather the shields! The Lord has raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes. For His plan is against Babylon to destroy it, Because it is the vengeance of the Lord, The vengeance for His temple. (Jeremiah 51:11)

The fact that there are multiple kings of the Medes indicates that powers involved in this end time confederation represent multiple governments. This would seem to include Russia, Belarus, and likely Crimea, Donbas, and some others in Ukraine, some in Moldova, perhaps some from the nation of Georgia, and some in Iran, etc.

Anciently, “Darius the Mede” (Daniel 5:31) conquered the old Babylon—modern “Medes” will help do the same to the end-time daughter of Babylon.

The following passages seem also to apply:

⁸ “Move from the midst of Babylon, Go out of the land of the Chaldeans; And be like the rams before the flocks. ⁹ For behold, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon An assembly of great nations from the north country, And they shall array themselves against her; From there she shall be captured. Their arrows shall be like those of an expert warrior; None shall return in vain. (Jeremiah 50:8-9)

Those who believe the Bible should leave the midst of end-time Babylon by then. Certainly, the above “north country” includes Russia, but other passages clearly point to others from Asia being involved (Jeremiah 51:27-29).

Notice some of what will happen to the coming European Babylonian Beast power led by a power from the farthest parts of the earth (Russia is the nation that is the farthest east and close to being the farthest north nation):

22 Thus says the Lord: “Behold, a people comes from the north country, And a great nation will be raised from the farthest parts of the earth.

23 They will lay hold on bow and spear; They are cruel and have no mercy; Their voice roars like the sea; And they ride on horses, As men of war set in array against you, O daughter of Zion.”

24 We have heard the report of it; Our hands grow feeble. Anguish has taken hold of us, Pain as of a woman in labor. 25 Do not go out into the field, Nor walk by the way. Because of the sword of the enemy, Fear is on every side. 26 O daughter of my people, Dress in sackcloth And roll about in ashes! Make mourning as for an only son, most bitter lamentation; For the plunderer will suddenly come upon us. (Jeremiah 6:22-26)

41 “Behold, a people shall come from the north, And a great nation and many kings Shall be raised up from the ends of the earth. 42 They shall hold the bow and the lance; They are cruel and shall not show mercy. Their voice shall roar like the sea; They shall ride on horses, Set in array, like a man for the battle, Against you, O daughter of Babylon.

43 “The king of Babylon has heard the report about them, And his hands grow feeble; Anguish has taken hold of him, Pangs as of a woman in childbirth. (Jeremiah 50:41-43)

The “great nation” from the “farthest parts of the earth” includes Russia. There are also nations that will be confederate with it. … When the “daughter of Babylon” is in the process of falling, many will abandon supporting it.

[i] McNair, Key to Northwest Origins

[ii] White C. In Search of … The Origin of Nations. History Research Projects, p. 283

[iii] White C. In Search of … The Origin of Nations, p. 287

ivi] Herodotos I-3. Edited by A.H. Sayce. The Ancient Empires of the East. MacMillan & Co., 1883, p. 62

[i] White C. In Search of … The Origin of Nations, p. 273

Much of the world is moving towards a type of integration that will result in the final time of the Gentiles (Luke 21:24; see also The Times of the Gentiles).

There are some similarities between Ukraine and Moldova–both nations have a lot of Russian speakers, have had pro-Russian governments, and have territory in the east that prefer closer ties with Russia.

Moldova is probably still the poorest nation in Europe (without Western aid, Ukraine likely would be now). Both Russia and the European Union want it. Moldova has applied to be part of the EU, but Russia does not like that.

The European Union wants nearly all of continental Europe to be part of it, and that includes Moldova. Moldova is a land which like Ukraine some in the west see as a ‘buffer’ against Russia because of geographic proximity.

Russia’s Vladimir Putin, on the other hand, wants all the former Soviet states, including Moldova and Ukraine, to become part of Russia or at least part of his Eurasian Economic Union.

Moldovans took some steps towards the European Union several years ago, which made them poorer. That EU move displeased Russia, which then restricted aspects of trade. But with a major part of Moldova’s workforce actually out of the country but working within the European Union, this has greatly increased its support for the EU. Many in Moldova do not trust Russia and believe that they will be freer and wealthier as part of the European Union. Others have been disappointed with the Europeans and have serious doubts that the Europeans can improve their lives for some time as the protests help demonstrate.

So what will happen?

Some areas will, ultimately according to scripture, align with Russia.

Yet, the Bible also teaches that the European Beast power will expand to the south and the east.

Notice that, in Daniel 8, the Bible prophesied that a little horn would mainly expand south and east:

9 And out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land. 10 And it grew up to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them. 11 He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down. 12 Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered. (Daniel 8:9-12).

And while the above has had a past fulfillment, this prophecy seems to be dual (compare with Daniel 11:27-39). The European Union has mainly expanded south and east of the Benelux nations (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg)–which is where it initially formed. Now, approximately 447 million people are under a new, single (though not completed united) government, called the European Union, headquartered in Brussels. Ukraine is mainly east of much of the EU–thus its geography is consistent with at least some of it being part of the EU. And Moldova and Georgia are south and east, which is also consistent.

In the old Radio Church of God, the late evangelist Dr. Hoeh taught that this little horn of Daniel 8 was the power that would become the final King of the North:

Turn in your Bible to verse 9: “And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.” …

The King of the North

The little horn in Daniel 8 is none other than the LAST KING of one of the four divisions of Alexander’s Empire. He is, in fact, the final “King of the North” described in Daniel 11. (Hoeh H. The 2300 Days. Plain Truth, August 1965)

Again, it looks like at least part of Moldova will support the Europeans for a time. The same is the case for Ukraine.

However, at least part of those both land look like they will ultimately align with Russia–and some already have.

UPDATE 02/25/24. We just uploaded the following related video:

14:51

Russia, Sanctions, Transnistria, Europe & Prophecy

In 2014 the USA and European Union put sanctions on Russia because of its acquisition of Crimea. Since Russia’s ‘Special Military Operation’ into Ukraine, more sanctions were added. On February 23, 2024, the EU and USA announced more sanctions. Did the sanctions turn the “ruble into rubble” as Joe Biden hoped? Did Russia acquire more territory as Dr. Thiel warned in 2013, 2018, and 2022 prior to the current conflict? Was he right about sanctions? Will Russia and Europe acquire more territory? Will they one day trade more with each other? Will they one day turn against each other? What about Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Georgia, and Armenia? Are the Russian-led ‘kings of the Medes’ prophesied to destroy the coming Babylonian European Beast power? Does Europe, starting with Benelux to the European Economic Community to the European Union look to be fulfilling Daniel 8:9? Steve Dupuie and Dr. Thiel address these issues.