Transnistria leader Vadim Krasnoselsky said after a meeting with Russian Ambassador to Moldova Oleg Ozerov that Transnistria and Russia will soon overcome the humanitarian crisis caused by the suspension of Russian gas transit through Ukraine.
"I had a meeting with Russian Ambassador Oleg Ozerov. We discussed the current situation. Conclusion: Transnistria and Russia will seek to get out of the crisis situation as soon as possible and continue cooperation in many areas, including socio-economic, health, education, culture, science, sports, tourism..." - he wrote on the Telegram channel.
On January 15, Transnistria leader Vadim Krasnoselsky said at a press conference in Moscow that Russia would provide gas as part of humanitarian aid to Transnistria. He said there would be enough gas to meet Transnistria's urgent needs.
Russia can supply gas to Transnistria in limited quantities via the TurkStream gas pipeline, but this amount may not be enough to meet Transnistria's needs, Egor Pak, dean of the Faculty of International Logistics and Transport at MGIMO University, Russia, told TASS.
“Logistically, everything is simple: There is no alternative to supplying gas to Transnistria via a pipeline through Ukraine. Although the TurkStream pipeline could be an option, the pipeline’s capacity is not enough to meet demand. A significant portion goes to Turkey and then flows to the European Union,” Pak noted.
The Russian expert pointed out that there are media reports and statements by officials that gas from TurkStream could go to Moldova. "However, even if gas from TurkStream goes to Moldova, it does not mean that this gas will belong to Transnistria," he said.
Mr. Pak emphasized that the TurkStream pipeline is not designed to meet Moldova's needs. "I am not sure about the percentage that will reach Transnistria. The internal situation there is unstable. So I think there should be some negotiations. The bottom line is that there is no alternative to the pipeline at the moment," the expert concluded.
Russian gas supplies to Moldova were cut off in early January after Kiev failed to renew its Russian gas transit contract and Chisinau refused to pay its fuel debt, estimated at $709 million under the Russia-Moldova agreement. While Moldova has an alternative to Russian gas, Transnistria has no other source of supply.
