The Russian Federation uses the energy instrument to exert pressure on the Republic of Moldova, especially in the context of an election year, former Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Gheorghe Balan stated in a public debate titled "Energy crisis in the “Bermuda Triangle". Episode 1: Moscow's position". According to him, the humanitarian crisis in the Transnistrian region was artificially generated by Russia with the aim of shifting responsibility onto the Moldovan authorities.
The former Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration explained that Russia has always used the energy weapon to keep the Republic of Moldova in its sphere of influence.
"We are witnessing a new stage, when the Russian Federation is already using electricity as a blackmailing tool to generate the discontent of citizens on both banks of the Nistru River in the context of an election year," said Gheorghe Balan.
He explained that the current energy crisis in the Transnistrian region was orchestrated by the Russian Federation with the aim of transferring responsibility to the constitutional authorities in Chisinau and generating discontent among the population in the context of this year's parliamentary elections.
"Now the Republic of Moldova is facing an increase in charges for both gas and electricity. The humanitarian crisis in the Transnistrian region was artificially created by Russia to shift responsibility onto the authorities in Chisinau, to show that the Republic of Moldova does not pay particular virtual debts because the international audit confirmed that such a debt does not exist. We are talking about US$700 million, a debt that the Russian Federation claims, but this is non-existent according to an international audit," explained Gheorghe Balan.
The former Deputy Prime Minister stressed that Russia uses such crises to destabilize the political situation in the Republic of Moldova with the aim of influencing the electoral results by creating economic and social difficulties.
"When Russia loses control over the political processes in the Republic of Moldova or over the external development course, it uses this tool to prevent the Republic of Moldova from promoting its narratives. Also, this instrument was to reduce the economic opportunities for the country's development. Currently, the Republic of Moldova no longer depends on Russian gas. The country can purchase gas from the international market and the prices can be thus lower than those offered by Russia," said Gheorghe Balan.
The public debate entitled "Energy crisis in the "Bermuda Triangle". Episode 1: Moscow's Position" was staged as part of the project "IPN News Agency for Social Cohesion and a Pro-European Moldova", funded by IMS.
