Moldova has warned Russia against any move to annex its breakaway Transdniester region in the same way it has taken control of Ukraine's Crimea.



President Nicolae Timofti said on March 18 that Russia would be making a "mistake" if it agreed to a request for annexation from Mikhail Burla, Transdniester's parliamentary speaker.



Burla on March 17 urged Russia to incorporate the mainly Russian-speaking region.



Traian Basescu, the president of neighboring Romania, said he fears that Moldova is "in great danger."



In 2006, Transdniester held a referendum similar to the March 16 referendum in Crimea, which has been occupied since late last month by thousands of Russian troops, in which 97 percent of participants voted in favor of joining Russia.



Transdniester declared independence in 1990 over fears Moldova would reunite with neighboring Romania.



Transdniester's independence is not recognized by any nation.



Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and unimedia.md