DISINFO: The Moldovan government decided to stop gas supplies to Transnistria
SUMMARY
At the same time, the Moldovan government decided to stop gas supplies to Transnistria, which resulted in partial power outages and many businesses and residential areas without heating in the middle of winter. A few days ago, the leaders of Transnistria and Russia reached an agreement under which gas purchases from the EU for the Transnistrian region will be guaranteed. However, there is no clear reaction from Chisinau to this decision yet.
RESPONSE
Pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative regarding the energy crisis in the Transnistrian region, which began on 1 January 2025. The claim is false.
Starting on 1 January 2025, the Russian company "Gazprom", which until then supplied Moldova and Transnistria with gas, unjustifiably suspended the delivery of natural gas to "Moldovagaz", even though there is a contract valid until 2026, as President Maia Sandu announced (min. 3.10-3.54) on 6 January. Gazprom interrupted the supply after the Russian gas transit contract through Ukrainian territory expired, with Ukraine refusing to extend it (see the speech of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, min. 5:15-6:00). Although Chisinau identified alternative transit routes, Gazprom refused to resume deliveries.
On 31 January, the Moldovan Government announced that European Union offers a grant worth 64 million euros, as a support in the energetic crisis on both banks of the Nistru river. From this sum, 20 million euros are for for the purchase of natural gas as emergency humanitarian assistance intended for the Transnistrian region and designated for household consumers, schools, and social facilities, is said in a Government press release. On 1 February, the gas started to be delivered in Transnistria. This amount will be sufficient to deliver gas to Transnistria until February 10, with other solutions to be found later.
So the decision do not supply gas in Transnistria has been taken by Gazprom/Russia, while Moldova and European Union seeks solutions and provides humanitarian aid to the population in the region.