Transnistrian head calls Moldovan debts to Gazprom the cause of the energy crisis

Moldova's refusal to repay its debt to Gazprom has caused an energy crisis in Transnistria. This was stated by the president of the unrecognized Transnistrian Moldovan Republic (TMR) Vadim Krasnoselsky on January 6.

"I want to remind once again that the result of non-supply of gas to Transnistria by the Russian Federation is a consequence of non-calculation of debts on the part of Moldovagaz," he said during a video message published on his official website.

In addition, Krasnoselsky noted that Chisinau did not provide Transnistria with any assistance in the energy crisis. He also refuted statements by Moldovan officials about "refusal of assistance," claiming that no offers had been made.

The Transnistrian president drew attention to the fact that there are "many speculations" around the situation with the energy crisis, which are spread by "opponents" of the unrecognized republic, and urged citizens not to give in to provocations.

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Earlier, on January 3, Krasnoselsky said that 1,500 high-rise and 72,000 private houses in Transnistria were left without heat and gas. Two large social facilities have been switched to heating with diesel fuel, he said.

Yuri Moldovsky, deputy head of the administration for social issues in the town of Rybnitsa in Transnistria, told Izvestia that all enterprises continue to operate normally after the cessation of gas supplies to the region. The head of the temporary accommodation center, Tatiana Lukasishina, also said that there are 150 places in the dormitory building for those who need first aid, food or accommodation.

Last December, an economic state of emergency was declared in Transnistria due to the difficult situation in the energy sector.

In November of the same year, Moldovan Energy Minister Victor Parlicov said that Transnistria could face energy difficulties from January 1 if Russia's Gazprom stops supplying gas. The energy minister said that the country needs help from foreign partners, but that neither Brussels nor Washington would finance the Transnistrian region.

At the same time, Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Oleg Serebryan said that the possible termination of gas supplies to Transnistria by Russia after the stoppage of the Russian gas transit through Ukraine would turn into a humanitarian catastrophe. According to him, such a situation should be avoided by any state.

On January 1, 2025, Gazprom stopped supplying fuel to Europe through the Ukrainian gas transportation system.

In August 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (his term of office expired in May 2024) said that Kiev would not extend the gas transit agreement with Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin pointed out that Moscow was not giving up gas supplies through Ukraine.