Moldova calls possible termination of Russian gas supplies to the DMR a catastrophe

If Russia stops supplying Russian gas to Transdniestria after stopping the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine, this will not just be a crisis for Moldova, but will turn into a real humanitarian catastrophe. This was stated by Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Oleg Serebryan on November 26.

"The cessation of gas supplies to the Transnistrian region would not just be a crisis, I dare say it would be a real humanitarian catastrophe. It would lead to the collapse of the economic system of electricity delivery, tens of thousands of families on the left and right bank of the Nistru River would suffer," Moldova 1 TV channel quoted the politician as saying.

Serebryan emphasized that such a situation should be avoided by any state. As it is not about someone's personal gain, but about the well-being and stability of hundreds of thousands of citizens.

Restrictive examples: what the new US sanctions against Gazprombank mean

Restrictions on a number of other players and top management of the Central Bank will not affect the economy in any way - the market has already adapted to the new reality

Before that, on November 22, Moldovan Energy Minister Victor Parlicov said that Transnistria may face energy difficulties from January 1 if Russia's Gazprom stops supplying gas. The energy minister said that the country needs the help of foreign partners, but neither Brussels nor Washington, which will not finance the Transnistrian region.

On November 20, former president and leader of the opposition Party of Socialists Igor Dodon said that the strategic partnership between Moldova and Russia should be resumed and sanctions should be lifted. Prior to that, on November 9, Parlikov said that Chisinau was asking Russian energy company Gazprom to clarify gas supplies without waiting until December 31, when the five-year contract on transit through Ukraine expires.

Oleksiy Chernyshov, head of the Ukrainian energy company Naftogaz, said for the first time on October 29, 2023, that Ukraine has no intention to extend the contract on the transit of Russian gas through its territory. On August 27, 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose term of office expired on May 20, said that Ukraine will not extend the gas transit agreement with Russia, which expires at the end of this year.

The day after the Ukrainian president's statement, the Moldovan energy ministry said that it had prepared an action plan in case Russian gas supplies were cut off.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a plenary session of the IX Eastern Economic Forum (VEF-2024) in Vladivostok on September 5 that Russia was not giving up gas transit through Ukraine. According to Putin, Gazprom plans to fulfill all its obligations under long-term contracts.