Moldova declared a state of emergency due to the threat of Russian gas supply interruptions by Ukraine. Parliament in Chisinau decided that the state of emergency would take effect on 16 December and would last 60 days. 56 out of 101 members of parliament voted for the regulation. The decision was made just after Friday midnight.
The government of Prime Minister Dorin Rechan faces the challenge of maintaining energy supplies to Moldova. In the face of the threat of the humanitarian crisis, the Extraordinary Situations Commission has been given powers to act outside the standard procedures. This includes the acquisition of additional energy from alternate sources. The problem arises from a decision taken by Kiev, which announced that it would not extend the contract for the transit of Russian gas to Europe. The current agreement with Gazprom expires on 31 December. Rechan defined the vote as a step towards completion Gas blackmail from Moscow.
Depending on Russia
Moldova is dependent on Russian natural gas, which is transited through Ukraine. The suspension of transit means for the State-owned company Moldovagas to cut off 1 of the 2 main sources of supply. Russian gas received from Gazprom goes to Transnistria, where electricity is supplied in return. The power plant there covers 80% of the country's demand.
The conflict between Moldova and Gazprom intensified in 2022 erstwhile the government in Chisinau declared its desire to decision completely to European gas purchases after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. Even then, Moldova, through its Moldovagaz company, whose shareholders are both Gazprom and the government of Moldova, was in debt for millions of dollars.
Long and Fatal Effects
Russia provides Moldova annually with 2 billion cubic meters of gas. The Russian side made it clear that the issue active the required repayment of the historical debt of Moldovagas. The portal reports that Moldova has accepted the results of an global audit that showed that the debt is $8.6 million. However, the Russian side disagrees with these findings. According to Moscow, the Chisinau has a debt of $709 million. The minister of separatist energy Nassniestrze Wiktor Parlikov stressed that the hazard of a gas crisis on the left bank of the Dniestr remains real.
As we read on Eye.press., if the supply of gas to Transnistria from Ukraine is stopped, this could consequence in the exclusion of the Cuciurgan power plant and Moldova's dependence on energy imports from Romania, Ukraine and home production. specified a script would endanger the humanitarian crisis in Transnistria, the deficiency of energy in Moldova, and possibly the accelerated reintegration of the rebellious region.
