EU aid for Moldova: Russia threatens to escalate energy crisis!

EU aid for Moldova: Russia threatens to escalate energy crisis!

The Republic of Moldova is experiencing significant difficulties in the energy sector after the Russian energy company Gazprom stopped supplying gas. This situation has a particularly serious impact on the pro-Russian region of Transnistria, which is not internationally recognized. At the beginning of the year, both natural gas and district heating were switched off in Transnistria, affecting more than 300,000 people. Moldova and Transnistria had to declare a state of emergency due to the impending crisis.

In order to strengthen energy security, the EU plans to support Moldova with 250 million euros. This support is part of a two-year plan aimed at decoupling Moldova from Russian energy supplies and promoting integration into the EU energy market. Gazprom has stopped gas supplies to Transnistria because of a financial dispute with the Moldovan government, leaving about 400,000 people without gas.

EU aid and consequences for the region

The Ukrainian government also plans not to extend the expiring transit contract with Russia, further complicating the situation in Moldova. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described Russia's actions as blackmail. Moldovan President Maia Sandu welcomed the EU aid and said part of the money will be used to offset soaring electricity prices in Moldova, which have almost doubled.

The EU is also providing 60 million euros for Transnistria, but on the condition that measures are taken to protect fundamental and human rights. In another move, Moldova began supplying EU-funded gas to Transnistria after the EU provided 30 million euros in emergency aid. Moldova accuses Russia of provoking the energy crisis to destabilize the country ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections.

Russia had previously delivered about two billion cubic meters of gas to Moldova annually, which was piped through Transnistria. It is noteworthy that Transnistria does not normally pay for the gas used to generate energy at the Cuciurgan power plant, which in turn provides 70 percent of Moldova's total energy needs. In this context, Russia is demanding that the Moldovan central government pay $709 million for outstanding gas bills, while Moldova says the outstanding amount is only $8.6 million Mercury reported.

Additional information about current gas deliveries to Transnistria can be found in an article by Mirror.