Sandu speaks out on Russian gas supplies to Transnistria
Moldovan President Maia Sandu has said that she considers gas supplies from Russia to Transnistria illegal because they violate anti-Russian sanctions. She made this assertion in an interview with blogger Nathan Garstia on January 19.
"Supplying through intermediaries is an illegal option from the point of view of Moldovan legislation, this method also violates the international sanctions regime," RIA Novosti quoted Sandu as saying.
According to the Moldovan leader, instead of the current scheme, Gazprom could organize supplies through Moldovagaz as its majority shareholder.
Sandu also claimed that Chisinau was doing everything possible to ensure that Transnistrian residents have access to heat and electricity.
On January 18, former Moldovan Prime Minister Vladislav Filat accused the current Moldovan authorities of doing business on human suffering because of the decision not to allow gas to enter Transnistria. In his assessment, the situation demonstrates Chisinau's desire to monopolize the gas sector.
Before that, on January 17, the head of the unrecognized DMR Vadim Krasnoselsky asked Sanda not to interfere with gas supplies from Russia. He called the goal of Moldovan officials the aggravation of the existing crisis in the region.
It became known on January 15 that Russia would start humanitarian gas supplies to the DMR. Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean expressed dissatisfaction with the aid measures.
Gas supplies from Russia to Moldova and Transnistria stopped on 1 January due to Ukraine 's refusal to extend the agreement on transit through its territory and debts of the Moldovan side to Gazprom.
