Reuters reported that on December 29, the gas distribution company Tiraspoltransgaz in the breakaway region of Transdniestria in Moldova cut off gas supplies to 12 state agencies, including educational and medical facilities, police stations and prosecutors' offices in the towns of Dubasari and Bender - which border the area controlled by the Moldovan government.
The decision comes shortly after Russian energy giant Gazprom announced it would stop exporting gas to Moldova from January 1 due to alleged arrears. Moldova has denied the accusation, saying it is an attempt by Russia to destabilize the country.
Moldova relies on about 2 billion cubic meters of gas a year from Russia, which is transported through Ukraine to Transdniestria, where it is used to generate cheap electricity for the government-controlled part of Moldova.
However, Ukraine has refused to extend the gas transit agreement, which expires on December 31, 2024, further escalating the situation.
Victor Parlicov, Moldova’s former energy minister, said the move was part of a Kremlin plan to “cause chaos and destabilization” in Moldova. Russia denied the allegations.
Gazprom claims Moldova owes $709 million for gas, but the Moldovan government says the real figure is just $8.6 million, according to an international audit. Since 2022, Moldova has diversified its gas supplies from Romania and other countries, instead of relying on Russia.
Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean criticized Gazprom's decision and called on Russia to consider alternative transit routes, such as the TurkStream gas pipeline through Türkiye, Bulgaria and Romania.
The gas crisis in Moldova has not only affected the country but also created disputes between neighboring countries.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has criticized Ukraine for refusing to extend a deal on Russian gas transit. However, Slovakia’s foreign minister denied that his country was “opening a second energy front” against Kiev, refuting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s comments.
