Russia’s decision to cut off natural gas to Moldova’s breakaway region of Transnistria has left hundreds of thousands bracing for a frigid winter without heat or power. The sudden halt, announced early Wednesday, has sparked fears of a humanitarian crisis in the unrecognized territory.
Local officials reacted swiftly, declaring they’d stop supplying hot water and heating to apartment complexes due to the dwindling gas reserves. Residents were urged to seal their windows as temperatures hovered near freezing. This disruption follows Gazprom’s decision to shut off the gas flow after a transit agreement with Ukraine expired.
Moldova’s national security advisor, Stanislav Secrieru, didn’t mince words. Speaking to POLITICO, he accused Russia of turning its energy resources into a political weapon. “This isn’t just an energy crisis; it’s a calculated move to destabilize Moldova, weaken its pro-reform government, and sway voters before the 2025 parliamentary elections,” Secrieru claimed.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Moldova has championed Ukraine’s cause and earned EU candidate status. However, President Maia Sandu’s pro-Western administration has faced intense pressure. Sandu, after narrowly securing victory in a contentious EU referendum, has offered aid to Transnistria, though local leaders have reportedly refused her assistance.
The separatist region, with over a thousand Russian troops stationed there, remains a significant hurdle for Moldova’s EU aspirations. For years, Transnistria enjoyed a cozy arrangement with the Kremlin, receiving free gas in exchange for selling electricity to the rest of Moldova—profits that supported local salaries and pensions.
But times are changing. Victor Parlicov, Moldova’s former energy minister, previously told POLITICO that cutting ties with Russian gas could spell the end of Transnistria’s de facto autonomy. “We’re not buying their electricity because we have no choice,” he explained. “The alternative would plunge the region into a humanitarian disaster.
