Maria Zakharova, Putin’s diplomatic spokeswoman, accused the Republic of Moldova of trying to solve the Transnistria issue “by force”, using the energy crisis in the separatist region. The representative of the aggressor state said that “any danger to Russian citizens in Transnistria will be considered an attack on Russia”, threatening the Republic of Moldova with war.
“President Maia Sandu was in Brussels last week and “ritually” complained about Russia’s alleged blackmail regarding natural gas. What blackmail? Pay the money for what you used and don’t invent stories about how you are being blackmailed. She discussed with NATO the possibility of strengthening the country’s defense system and protecting the young Moldovan democracy. It is not clear why it should be protected and what else can be protected there,” said the representative of the criminal regime in the Kremlin.
In addition to propaganda claims for domestic public consumption, Zakharova also directly threatened the Republic of Moldova with war, saying that “any action that would pose a danger” to the Russians in Transnistria, including the occupation troops illegally stationed on Moldovan territory, which the Putin regime calls a “contingent of peacekeepers”, will be perceived as “an attack against Russia”.
Crisis situation in the Republic of Moldova
Maria Zakharova’s statements come in the context in which, starting with January 1, 2025, Transnistria will be left without Russian gas. Gazprom announced that it will stop gas deliveries because transit through Ukraine will be stopped, and for deliveries to continue, the Republic of Moldova must pay its historic debt of over 700 million dollars.
After an external audit, the Moldovan government acknowledges a debt of $8.6 million, but Russia insists it will not recognize the conclusions of the auditors from Norway and the United Kingdom. The government in Chisinau has accused Russia of energy blackmail and of exploiting the situation for political gain.
Even without transit through Ukraine, Russia could have delivered gas to Transnistria if it wanted to, but it would have needed to already make reservations for transportation via the Trans-Balkan route. This did not happen.
Transnistria, a separatist region used by Russia as a Trojan horse to maintain its influence in the Republic of Moldova, could face a humanitarian crisis if it is not supplied with gas in the coming period, and the authorities in Chisinau are analyzing possibilities to mitigate the crisis.
On December 16, the Moldovan government declared a state of energy emergency for a period of 60 days.