Russia is aiming to destabilize Moldova by using energy as a strategic weapon, the Moldovan prime minister has warned.
Dorin Recean said that Moscow’s goal is to create a humanitarian crisis in the separatist region of Transnistria, which could then escalate into a security crisis for the entire country.
Transnistria, a predominantly Russian-speaking separatist region which split from Moldova at the end of Soviet rule following a brief conflict, had received Russian gas via Ukraine for decades, using it to generate most of the region’s electricity.
The region is regarded as a foothold of Moscow influence in south-east Europe and even hosts Russian troops. The troops have been serving as peacekeepers in the region, policing one of Europe’s longest running frozen conflicts.
However, gas supplies to Transnistria were cut off on January 1, after Kyiv, locked in a 34-month conflict with Russia, refused to renew a transit deal. The ending of supplies has hammered Transnistria, leading to the suspension of most industrial activity, power cuts and heating and hot waters supplies being turned off.
This situation has prompted fears that it could spill over into the rest of Moldova. The country has long relied on the separatist region for energy, with Transnistria supplying up to 80% of the country’s total power needs.
What has compounded the problem further for Moldova is that Russia’s state-owned gas giant Gazprom owns a 51.5% stake in Moldova’s state-owned gas company, Moldovagaz, and has remained the country’s sole source of gas.
Transnistria, a predominantly Russian-speaking separatist region which split from Moldova at the end of Soviet rule following a brief conflict, had received Russian gas via Ukraine for decades, using it to generate most of the region’s electricity.
The region is regarded as a foothold of Moscow influence in south-east Europe and even hosts Russian troops. The troops have been serving as peacekeepers in the region, policing one of Europe’s longest running frozen conflicts.
However, gas supplies to Transnistria were cut off on January 1, after Kyiv, locked in a 34-month conflict with Russia, refused to renew a transit deal. The ending of supplies has hammered Transnistria, leading to the suspension of most industrial activity, power cuts and heating and hot waters supplies being turned off.
This situation has prompted fears that it could spill over into the rest of Moldova. The country has long relied on the separatist region for energy, with Transnistria supplying up to 80% of the country’s total power needs.
What has compounded the problem further for Moldova is that Russia’s state-owned gas giant Gazprom owns a 51.5% stake in Moldova’s state-owned gas company, Moldovagaz, and has remained the country’s sole source of gas.
Since the gas-cut off, Transnistria and Moldova accused each other of torpedoing a proposed meeting to tackle the situation.
Speaking to Moldovan private broadcaster ProTV Chișinău on Friday, Recean said: “The moment they [Russia] sufficiently destabilize the Republic of Moldova with this weapon – energy – they will first cause a humanitarian crisis on the left bank of the [River] Dniester and then this crisis will turn into a security crisis in the security zone and throughout the Republic of Moldova.”
Recean also claimed that Russia seeks to influence Moldova’s upcoming parliamentary elections, likely to be held in July, warning that a pro-Russian government in Chișinău could allow Moscow to strengthen its military presence in Transnistria and use its forces to launch attacks on Ukraine from the separatist region.
Speaking to Moldovan private broadcaster ProTV Chișinău on Friday, Recean said: “The moment they [Russia] sufficiently destabilize the Republic of Moldova with this weapon – energy – they will first cause a humanitarian crisis on the left bank of the [River] Dniester and then this crisis will turn into a security crisis in the security zone and throughout the Republic of Moldova.”
Recean also claimed that Russia seeks to influence Moldova’s upcoming parliamentary elections, likely to be held in July, warning that a pro-Russian government in Chișinău could allow Moscow to strengthen its military presence in Transnistria and use its forces to launch attacks on Ukraine from the separatist region.
