Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The European Union today, on January 27, 2025, has proposed a €30 million emergency assistance package for the Republic of Moldova. The endeavor is aimed as a first step to support in tackling the intense energy crisis caused by Gazprom.
As reported by the EU Commission, via this package, the European Union stands ready to fund the buying and transport of natural gas to the Transnistrian region.
Furthermore, to facilitate the purchase and transport of gas to Transnistria, the European Union is dedicated to delivering in the next weeks a financial support plan for Moldova seeking to mitigate the social effects of the problem for the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, while setting the groundwork for long-term energy resilience and economic development in Moldova.
In her remarks, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated:
“In the middle of winter, more than three hundred fifty thousand residents in the Transnistrian region are left in the dark and the cold because Russia decided to stop its gas deliveries. We simply cannot accept that people on our continent do not have access to the most basic services. But hard times reveal true friends. That is why we are throwing today a lifeline. We will deliver gas to the people of Transnistria and restore their access to electricity and heating.”
What led to the gas crisis in Moldova and Transnistria?
Moldova currently struggles with a serious energy crisis, since Russian gas supplies were cut off on January 1, 2025, since Ukraine refused to extend its transit agreement with Russia. This led the government of Moldova to declare a state of emergency due to exploding energy costs and a lack of predictability in supply.
The crisis is particularly acute in the breakaway region of Transnistria, which has historically relied on free Russian gas and is now experiencing significant power cuts and economic instability.
The closure of gas supplies has also affected Moldova’s largest electrical plant, which is located in Transnistria. This further worsens the already strained energy resources of the country. Moldova has started importing gas from European suppliers at a higher price, which will eventually be transferred to consumers in the form of increased costs.
The Moldovan government is under pressure to manage this crisis effectively while navigating the political implications of its energy dependency on Russia and the potential for unrest in Transnistria.
