The energy crisis in the Transnistrian region is caused by the Russian company Gazprom’s decision not to supply natural gas to the left bank of the Nistru, despite the contractual obligations. The purpose of this humanitarian crisis provoked by the Kremlin on the left bank of the river is to generate a political crisis on the right bank and escalate the situation, President Maia Sandu said after the meeting of the Supreme Security Council. The head of state also said that the Moldovan authorities came up with solutions for Tiraspol, but the Transnistrian administration rejected them, IPN reports.
Maia Sandu said that since January 1, natural gas has not been delivered to the region and a humanitarian crisis was therefore caused on the left bank. "There are people who don't have heat, electricity or water for several hours a day. The situation is extremely difficult for these people," noted the official.
According to Maia Sandu, the official Chisinau does not prevent the transit of Russian gas via the officially controlled territory and Gazprom was informed about this last autumn. "I also want to repeat that the right bank has no debts to Gazprom, as the Russian side falsely insinuates and tries to justify this decision not to supply gas to the left bank. There are no debts. We had an international audit, which confirmed this," said the head of state.
President Sandu noted that the Moldovan authorities addressed Tiraspol in November to discuss the situation and to identify solutions for this crisis. Tiraspol's response was negative. The Transnistrian administration has consistently refused to develop these solutions and the potential humanitarian aid from Chisinau and development partners.
"The government offered to buy gas for the left bank. Also, the possibility of delivering coal for the production of electricity for the left bank was discussed with the partners in Ukraine. All these proposals remained unanswered," stated the official.
Maia Sandu insisted that the purpose of this humanitarian crisis provoked by the Kremlin on the left bank is to generate a political crisis on the right bank and escalate the situation. The Russian Federation in recent years has taken a number of actions and made attempts to destabilize the situation on the right bank, involving the Transnistrian region.
