Moldova imposes state of emergency from December 16 due to uncertainty with gas transit through Ukraine

Moldova has imposed a state of emergency (state of emergency) since 16 December due to the threat of a humanitarian crisis in connection with the possible cessation of Russian gas transit through Ukraine. This was reported in an approved parliamentary resolution on December 12.

The document says that it is planned to introduce a state of emergency for a 60-day period on the entire territory of Moldova starting from December 16, 2024.

For his part, Romanian Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja said that Romania is ready for winter and has the resources to support Moldova if necessary.

"Moldova has imposed a state of emergency in the energy sector and, as we have done so far, not only on the basis of the agreements that our countries have, but also on many other fundamentals that unite us and will always unite us, Romania will be with Chisinau," Burduja said.

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Earlier, on December 11, the supreme council of the unrecognized Transnistrian Moldovan Republic (TMR) approved the decree of TMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky on the introduction of a state of economic emergency amid uncertainty over Russian gas supplies through Ukraine.

Prior to that, on December 6, Krasnoselsky said during a meeting with members of the DMR Security Council that an economic state of emergency was being introduced in Transnistria due to the current difficult situation in the energy sector. He noted that the full development of the country's economy, in particular, is hindered by external factors, such as military actions in Ukraine and instability in Moldova.

The day before, the Ziarul de Gardă newspaper reported that Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean demanded that Parliament declare a state of emergency in the energy sector. It will be effective from December 16 and will remain in force "until the problematic situation is overcome". In addition, Recean demanded the resignation of Energy Minister Victor Parlicov, as well as the head of the state-owned company Energocom, Victor Bynzar, and a member of the supervisory board of Moldovagaz, Sergei Tofilat.

In November, Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister Oleg Serebryan said that a possible cessation of gas supplies to Transnistria by the Russian Federation after the stoppage of Russian gas transit through Ukraine would turn into a humanitarian catastrophe. According to him, such a situation should be avoided by any state. On 22 November, the Moldovan energy minister said that Transnistria might face energy difficulties from 1 January if Russia's Gazprom stops gas supplies.