Energy Minister Victor Parlicov, the interim president of Moldovagaz, Vadim Ceban, and the new president appointed by Chisinau, Dorin Junghietu, are leaving for St Petersburg on Sunday. On Monday, the delegation will meet the Russian Gazprom. The head of Parlicov's cabinet and two other candidates selected for Moldovagaz's board of directors - Eduard Calancea and Radu Mandraburca - could also take part in the talks, IPN reports.
The government in Chisinau has already been criticized for the visit and talks that have yet to take place.
Civil society and journalists, commenting on the pro-European government's decision, say that the dialog with Gazprom contradicts the 2023 government's claims that Moldova is "much more independent from Russian gas".
These statements were made by Prime Minister Recean and Minister Parlicov themselves.
But it depends on this meeting whether life on the left bank of the Dniester will remain as peaceful as it has been and how calm (or not) Moldovans will be when they see their electricity bills this winter.
This is why the Moldovan delegation, led by Parlicov, is going to St Petersburg. First, to understand whether Moscow is willing to continue "pro-bono" gas deliveries to the Transnistrian region, under what conditions and by what means.
Secondly, Chisinau and Moscow must approve the candidates proposed by Moldova for the Moldovagaz board of directors. For this reason, IPN sources say, Parlicov will not go alone to St. Petersburg, but together with the previously selected candidates and, most probably, accompanied by the head of his cabinet, Alexander Morcov.
Brussels - informed, Kiev - skeptical
Europa Libera reports, citing European sources, that Brussels is aware of Chisinau's energy dilemmas and knows about the decision to hold talks with Gazprom.
Talking to IPN, several government interlocutors say they assess as "below average" the chances that Kiev will allow Russian gas transit through its territory after December 31, 2024.
IPN sources involved in the talks with the Ukrainian side on the gas issue claim that Kevul "viewed with skepticism" Chisinau's decision to go to negotiations with Moscow.
However, interlocutors say that the visit to St. Petersburg would be only "the first part" of a broader plan by Chisinau.
It is no secret that Chisinau has been strategizing and planning for a situation in which the Transnistrian region could run out of gas. In October, the government said that in such a case, Chisinau would supply consumers in the region with gas bought on the European market, which had been stored with neighbors.
Residents of the Transnistrian region, however, will have to pay a market price for this gas. Parlicov said that the authorities in Chisinau will have to take the risk that Transnistrians will not be able to pay the market price for gas, but is counting on European support to cover the costs.
