 Russia may annex another European country. Russian President Vladimir Putin may announce the annexation of the pro-Russian breakaway region of Transnistria, the Institute for the Study of War ISW has said. While the Washington think tank said such a possibility was unlikely in the short term, its report describes a continuing hybrid operation by Moscow to destabilize the former Soviet state which borders Ukraine according to Newsweek. Internationally recognized as part of Moldova, whose European Union aspirations have angered the Kremlin, Transnistria is located between the Dynista River and the Moldovan-Ukrainian border. Moldova has no control over the Russian-speaking region that claimed independence after the collapse of the USSR sparking an intervention by Moscow. Russian troops remain in the territory. While Transnistria's independence is not recognized by Moscow or the international community, the territory where Russian troops are based remains a useful tool for the Kremlin to stop Moldova from seeking greater ties with the EU and NATO. The ISW said that the Transnistrian Congress of deputies held a rare meeting in their capital, During it, they blamed Chisinaw for destroying the region's economy and violating the freedoms of population of around half a million. Transnistrian opposition activist Genadi Sioba said that deputies will ask on February the 28th for Moscow to annex Transnistria a day before Putin addresses the Russian Federal Assembly Moldovan outlet Deshide reported. ISW said it could see Putin in the most dangerous course of action declare Russia's annexation of Transnistria during his planned address, although that appears unlikely. The Russian president will more likely welcome whatever action the Transnistrian Congress of deputies takes and offer observations on the situation. The ISW said the deputies will likely either initiate a new referendum seeking Moscow's annexation or demand action on ballots held in 2006 unrecognized internationally one of which backed joining Russia. The ISW said Putin will likely welcome whatever actions the Congress takes, although he may stop short of acting on a request for immediate annexation. It added.