The Kremlin is deliberately generating a humanitarian crisis on the left bank of the Dniester River to destabilize the activity of the pro-European government in Chisinau, particularly in the context of the upcoming parliamentary elections this autumn, stated Prime Minister Dorin Recean in an interview with Euronews, IPN reports.
Euronews reports that "since January 1, Transnistria, the pro-Russian separatist region of Moldova, has not been receiving Russian gas via Ukraine, as a consequence of Moscow's ongoing war against Kyiv." In this context, Chisinau accuses the Kremlin of orchestrating a security crisis in Moldova.
The Prime Minister said the interruption of gas deliveries has created a dire situation for the 450,000 residents of the Transnistrian region. "People are not receiving electricity, they have no heating, no access to gas, and there are also interruptions in water supply".
Although the government in Chisinau offered assistance, the administration in Tiraspol has refused to accept the support, Prime Minister Recean added.
The official also pointed out "Transnistria's dependency on Russian oil and gas, which powers the Cuciurgan power station, the largest in Moldova." Despite being located in separatist territory, the plant provides 70% of the country's electricity, which "exposes Chisinau to the risk of power outages if the crisis escalates", the Prime Minister warned.
Dorin Recean expressed concerns that "as Moldova’s parliamentary elections approach, the Kremlin may launch a disinformation campaign targeting Chisinau and Kyiv, actions that pose risks, including further destabilization of the separatist region".
According to the Moldovan Prime Minister, "the Kremlin seeks to establish a pro-Russian government in Moldova, which would facilitate the consolidation of Russia's military presence in the Transnistrian region. Currently, Moscow maintains around 1,500 soldiers in the region, operating under the pretext of peacekeeping".
Euronews writes that the European Union is closely monitoring the situation, considering Moldova's candidacy for EU membership and the fact that Brussels is the country’s primary financial supporter. Meanwhile, the European Commission has announced that it is currently collaborating with the European energy sector to ensure Moldova has an adequate electricity supply if needed. Additionally, the Commission has urged EU member states to demonstrate energy solidarity with the Republic of Moldova.
