In the initial period of the energy crisis in the eastern region of Moldova, three main actors were involved - Moscow, Tiraspol and Chisinau - and within this triangle there were situations that were not always clear to the general public. For example, about a month ago, Russian natural gas and partially electricity disappeared in this region, just like in the stories about the "Bermuda triangle". On Tuesday, however, the situation around the crisis and the ways to solve it for a longer period of time changed thanks to the assistance of the European Union. After analyzing the position of the Russian Federation and Tiraspol in this "triangle", the panel of experts of episode 3 of the debate, staged by IPN News Agency, discussed the actions and position of Chisinau.
According to the permanent expert of IPN’s project Igor Boţan, the war in Ukraine is one of the main causes of the energy crisis in the Transnistrian region. Ukraine, being subjected to aggression from Russia, decided not to renew the gas transit deal with Russia, which expired at the end of 2024. The second reason for the gas crisis on the left bank of the Nistru is the "separatism" supported by the Russian Federation in this region, including the supply of gas as so-called humanitarian aid.
The expert reminded that a May 2006 study by the American Bar Association, the decisions by the European Court of Human Rights and the May 2017 judgment of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Moldova concluded that the left bank of the Nistru is a territory occupied by the Russian Federation and, respectively, Russia is responsible for everything that happens in this region of the Republic of Moldova.
According to Igor Boțan, the European Union became involved in the current energy crisis faced by both banks of the Nistru River because the Republic of Moldova is an EU accession candidate. This serves as a justification for the EU's involvement in the resolution of the crisis, including in the Transnistrian region.
During the debate, PAS MP Oazu Nantoi said that Russia's long-term geopolitical interest is to keep control over the Republic of Moldova. Russia has invested enormous amounts in the context of the war in Ukraine. So, Putin needs Moldova as he wants to turn it into a point of attack behind Ukraine, as the two countries have a common border of significant length. Moreover, important infrastructure projects pass through the territory of Moldova and Moldova is now on the border with NATO and the European Union.
According to Oazu Nantoi, the deep energy crisis witnessed today is the result of the decades during which the Republic of Moldova had corrupt politicians at the helm, who "fed", together with those from the left bank and from the Kremlin, on the problems of society.
Referring to the attempts to destabilize the situation through paid protests in the recent period, Nantoi said that in recent years, the Russian Federation has been waging a hybrid war against the Republic of Moldova. An aggressive campaign was staged during the 2024 electoral period, both against President Maia Sandu and in relation to the referendum on joining the EU. The Kremlin's next goal is this year's parliamentary elections. The European path depends a lot on the outcome of these elections.
Liviu Vovc, secretary general of the Party “Dignity and Truth Platform”, also referred to this subject. According to him, Russia wants to have a majority in the Parliament in Chisinau in order to block the entire European path of Moldova. That is why this crisis in the Transnistrian region was caused.
According to Vovc, the people on the left bank of the Nistru must understand that Russia is not interested in their lives and well-being and they are only used to destabilize Moldova.
What the Kremlin plans is to make the situation in Moldova as difficult as possible, by increasing gas and electricity prices, so that citizens' dissatisfaction increases, both on the right and left banks. They want as many people as possible to vote against the pro-European parties in this year's parliamentary elections, concluded Vovc.
