Former Prime Minister Filat accused Moldovan authorities of embezzling EU aid to Transnistria

The Moldovan authorities are embezzling the aid allocated by the European Union (EU) to overcome the energy crisis in Transnistria. The former Moldovan prime minister and leader of the pro-European Liberal Democratic Party Vladimir Filat wrote about this on Monday, February 3, in his Telegram channel.

According to him, European funds for gas are a new embezzlement scheme. Filat recalled that earlier on Monday Energocom purchased gas for Transnistria at an exorbitant price of $660 per thousand cubic meters.

"This amount raises serious questions about the management of European funds. A few days earlier this volume could have been bought 20-40% cheaper. Instead of signing transparent bilateral contracts, the Moldovan government is speculating on the stock market, increasing the risks of corruption and embezzlement of European money. This aid risks turning into a new scheme of siphoning off public funds," the politician wrote.

Gas mask phase: energy crisis worsens in Transnistria

Chisinau blocks fuel supplies to the republic

Earlier in the day, DMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky said that after the European Union's (EU) aid for gas supplies to the unrecognized republic, the energy reserves will be sufficient for 10 days. He also specified that the payments would be made from the loan provided by Russia.

Before that, on January 27, Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean said that Chisinau would provide the unrecognized Transnistrian Moldovan Republic with 3 million cubic meters of gas on loan. The second phase of support is scheduled for February 1-10 and includes a €30 million EU grant to buy natural gas at an anti-crisis price to convert it into electricity. The plan will be finalized over the next two weeks.

Gas supplies from Russia to Moldova and Transnistria stopped on January 1 due to Ukraine 's refusal to extend the agreement on transit through its territory and debts of the Moldovan side to Gazprom. In mid-January, it became known that Russia was ready to provide assistance to the DMR and start humanitarian gas supplies.