The left bank of the Nistru is an integral part of the Republic of Moldova and the people who live there are citizens of the Republic of Moldova. It is a message that is practically missing from the public discourse today, but which must necessarily be conveyed firmly and as widely as possible. First of all, such a message will provide a sense of security to the citizens of the Transnistrian region, and the steps that will come from Chisinau in this regard will have an impact, including on the reintegration process, political scientist Gennady Ciorba, former head of the communication, information and media service of the Transnistrian region, currently a human rights activist, stated in a public debate titled “Energy crisis in the "Bermuda Triangle". Episode II: Tiraspol's position".

The activist considers that this firm message that the left bank is part of the Republic of Moldova is extremely necessary, especially in the conditions of the hybrid war that Russia is waging in Moldova, but also amidst the propaganda witnessed on the left bank of the Nistru. Such messages, in his opinion, will have an important impact, including on the reintegration process.

The political scientist believes that if the Moldovan authorities act professionally, all reintegration processes, including the perception of economic realities related to gas prices and their payment, will be more easily accepted by the people living on the left bank of the Nistru.

In his view, the lack of an equidistant information space in the Transnistrian region is a problem. The population there for 30 years already has been influenced, including by Russian propaganda. In the absence of counter-information and counter-propaganda actions on the part of the constitutional authorities, things in the region stagnate. Under these conditions, a large part of the locals perceive the aid offered by the EU to overcome the energy crisis as a concession, as a step backwards taken by the West and Chisinau as well. In this regard, propaganda had its say, creating the impression that the West and Chisinau had to give gas.

Ghennady Ciorba said that today it is difficult to change the perception of most of the people. However, many people understand who really caused this crisis and who is de facto making effort to alleviate the consequences. However, in his opinion, there will not be quick results because the lack of a common, equidistant and fair information space that reaches the people further distances the objective of reintegration.

In another development, the former head of the communication, information and media service of the Transnistrian region said that, given the fact that the Russian Federation does not have direct borders with the Republic of Moldova and cannot politically influence things here, it resorts to economic pressure. In particular, by not identifying a solution to deliver gas to the left bank of the Nistru, it tried to produce an "explosion" on the right bank, but this plan failed.

Now, said Gennady Ciorba, Russia's only hope is that, after the autumn parliamentary elections, it will be able to form a political government loyal to Moscow in Chisinau and, in this way, to restore its levers of influence in Moldova.

The public debate entitled "Energy crisis in the "Bermuda Triangle". Episode 2: Tiraspol's position" was held as part of the project "IPN News Agency for Social Cohesion and a Pro-European Moldova", funded by IMS.