RT reported that on January 25, hundreds, even thousands of people in the breakaway region of Transnistria in Moldova took to the streets to protest, demanding that the country, which is a candidate to join the EU, restore gas supplies in the context of a serious energy crisis and cold weather. The protests took place in major cities such as Bender, ribnita and Dubasari.
The crisis began when Russian energy giant Gazprom said last month that it could not continue supplying gas to Europe via Ukraine's pipeline network due to Kiev's refusal to extend the transit agreement, which expires at the end of 2024.
Russian gas was previously transported via Ukraine to Moldova and other European countries, after which Moldova transferred the gas to Transnistria in exchange for electricity.
However, supply was stopped after Kiev terminated its contract with Gazprom and closed the Russian gas pipeline system. Moldova has also refused to restore gas to Transnistria, citing international sanctions.
In this context, Vadim Krasnoselsky - head of Transnistria - warned that the current gas supply in the breakaway area is only enough to be used for two days, and coal will also expire in mid-February. "Without gas, the situation will become extremely difficult" - Mr. Krasnoselsky emphasized, describing the harsh situation when the temperature in many apartments is only 10 degrees Celsius and saying that Moldova is "politicizing" the energy issue.
The conflict over gas between Russia and Moldova escalated when Gazprom claimed Moldova owed them more than $700 million, while Chisinau only acknowledged the debt of about $8 million. Russia has repeatedly stressed its readiness to continue gas supplies, but insists Moldova has obstructed the flow.
On Moldova's side, Moldovagaz gas company denied allegations of blocking supplies and said it had proposed supporting Transnistria in purchasing gas from the EU. However, the Transnistrian leadership is said to have refused, in hopes of connecting supplies from Russia.
The situation in Transnistria is currently increasingly tense. People are calling on stakeholders to put humanitarian issues first to avoid pushing the region into a more serious energy crisis.
