The leader of Moldova’s breakaway region of Transnistria has traveled to Moscow for talks to address an ongoing energy crisis after Russian gas supplies were suspended, according to Transnistria’s news agency on Tuesday.
The region has been facing widespread power outages since January 1, when Russia’s Gazprom halted gas deliveries, citing Moldova’s unpaid debt of $709 million, which Chisinau does not acknowledge. Moscow attributes the suspension to Moldova and Ukraine, who refused to extend a five-year gas transit agreement that expired on December 31. They argue that the proceeds from the deal support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Moldova asserts that Russia could use an alternative route to continue supplying gas to Transnistria, which previously received its gas through Ukraine.
Vadim Krasnoselsky, Transnistria’s separatist leader, has met with Russian officials to find a solution to the energy crisis, his press secretary Denis Podgorny reported, though no details of the talks were provided, and Russian authorities have not commented.
Moldova’s pro-Western President Maia Sandu confirmed she was aware of the visit and expressed hope for a quick resolution, saying, “We want the people in Transnistria to have electricity, heat, and water as soon as possible.” She added that Tiraspol’s refusal to accept help from Moldova was not its decision but rather Moscow’s, echoing Chisinau’s stance that Transnistria operates under Moscow’s direction.
Political analyst Vitalie Andrievschi suggested that the talks in Moscow might not bring a breakthrough. He speculated that the discussions would likely result in the same stance: that the resumption of gas shipments depends on Moldova paying off its debt. Alternatively, Russia could agree to resume supplies through a different route, such as the Balkan corridor (Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania), without Moldova settling the arrears.
Moldovan officials have offered help to Transnistria by facilitating gas purchases on external markets and securing coal supplies from Ukraine, but separatist authorities claim no tangible proposals have been made.
President Sandu believes the energy crisis has been intentionally escalated, asserting that Russia has alternative routes for supplying natural gas. She contends that Russia’s real objective is to destabilize Moldova. Sandu, who secured a second term in office in a closely contested election last year, is working toward Moldova’s integration into the European Union.
Meanwhile, Moldova’s foreign ministry condemned as “unacceptable interference” remarks made by senior Kremlin aide Nikolai Patrushev. He blamed Chisinau for the energy crisis and suggested that Moldova should “acknowledge their mistakes.” Patrushev also warned that Moldova’s aggressive anti-Russian stance could lead to the country being absorbed by another nation or disappearing altogether. He made similar comments regarding Ukraine, referencing Moscow’s long-standing view that Kyiv’s policies are driven by “neo-Nazi” principles.
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