popular articles

Energy crisis in Transdniestria: Moldova approached for gas supply

Amid an energy crisis, separatist Transdniestria has requested Moldova to supply gas. This request raises legal and geopolitical issues as the region has been cut off from Russian deliveries since January.

Please share:

The energy crisis plaguing Transdniestria, a pro-Russian separatist region in Moldova, is worsening. Since the cessation of Russian gas deliveries on January 1, this territory of approximately 500,000 inhabitants has faced heating, hot water, and electricity shortages. Moldova, spared thanks to its imports from Romania, has recently received an unexpected request: Transdniestria is asking for gas supplies to address the emergency.

Vadim Krasnosselski, the separatist leader of Transdniestria, sent an official letter to Moldovan President Maia Sandu on January 18. This letter, which Krasnosselski claims remains unanswered, calls for quickly defining a mechanism to allow the purchase and delivery of natural gas.

Moldova’s conditions and legal challenges

When questioned on the matter, Moldova confirmed it is reviewing the request. “We need to ensure that any agreement complies with national and international legal standards, particularly European regulations and sanctions against Russia,” a presidential spokesperson stated. The spokesperson also highlighted the potential involvement of third-party companies, adding further complexity to the issue.

Speaking on public television, Moldovan President Maia Sandu, a pro-European leader, emphasized the importance of verifying the identities of the companies involved before making any decisions. These checks are necessary to avoid breaching Moldova’s commitments to the European Union as the country seeks closer integration with the bloc.

A post-Soviet legacy at the heart of the crisis

The situation in Transdniestria is rooted in a tense historical context. The region has been beyond Moldovan control since a war in 1992, following the collapse of the USSR. Until recently, Russian energy giant Gazprom provided free gas to the territory, a strategic support for the separatists against Chisinau.

However, Russian deliveries ceased after the transit agreement between Moscow and Kyiv, which enabled gas to flow through Ukraine, expired. Gazprom’s refusal to use alternative routes stems from a financial dispute over Moldova’s debt.

An energy and geopolitical dilemma

For Chisinau, responding to Transdniestria’s request poses a significant dilemma. While a solution might alleviate a humanitarian crisis, it also raises political and strategic questions. By aligning with European regulations, Moldova aims to distance itself from Russian influence, complicating any effort to meet the needs of the separatist territory.

The debate surrounding this request reflects the geopolitical tensions shaping the region, as the European Union and Russia remain key players in this energy standoff.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

The European Union has approved a new package of sanctions targeting 345 vessels suspected of helping Russia circumvent restrictions on crude oil and refined product exports.
Faced with the heavy debts of emerging countries, China is shifting its strategy in Africa, reducing massive loans in favour of targeted commercial investments as Western competition intensifies around clean energy technologies.
Faced with the heavy debts of emerging countries, China is shifting its strategy in Africa, reducing massive loans in favour of targeted commercial investments as Western competition intensifies around clean energy technologies.
Dan Jørgensen, European Commissioner for Energy, confirms that the EU will continue its ban on Russian gas imports, regardless of the outcome of peace negotiations in Ukraine, with legislative proposals expected in June.
Dan Jørgensen, European Commissioner for Energy, confirms that the EU will continue its ban on Russian gas imports, regardless of the outcome of peace negotiations in Ukraine, with legislative proposals expected in June.
On May 13, energy ministers from Baltic Sea countries signed a new memorandum of understanding to reinforce interconnections and energy security amid growing geopolitical tensions.
On May 13, energy ministers from Baltic Sea countries signed a new memorandum of understanding to reinforce interconnections and energy security amid growing geopolitical tensions.
Belgrade aims to retain favourable pricing terms for Russian gas imports as the current contract nears its May 31 deadline.
The US president begins a state visit to Saudi Arabia focused on an ambitious economic partnership, sidelining Saudi-Israeli normalisation due to the Gaza war.
The US president begins a state visit to Saudi Arabia focused on an ambitious economic partnership, sidelining Saudi-Israeli normalisation due to the Gaza war.
An agreement covering the exploitation of 57 types of natural resources is set for ratification by the Ukrainian Parliament, establishing a bilateral fund with Washington with no explicit military guarantees.
An agreement covering the exploitation of 57 types of natural resources is set for ratification by the Ukrainian Parliament, establishing a bilateral fund with Washington with no explicit military guarantees.
Russia positions itself as an active supporter of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States, advocating for a balanced legal framework in line with international law.
Russia positions itself as an active supporter of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States, advocating for a balanced legal framework in line with international law.
The French president hosts Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov in Paris to finalise economic agreements amid geopolitical rivalries over Central Asian gas resources.
Indonesia and Japan are strengthening their energy partnership through several strategic projects, notably within the JETP and AZEC initiatives, aiming to sustainably structure Indonesia’s energy mix and support its infrastructure.
Indonesia and Japan are strengthening their energy partnership through several strategic projects, notably within the JETP and AZEC initiatives, aiming to sustainably structure Indonesia’s energy mix and support its infrastructure.
Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco are investing in submarine interconnections to export their renewable electricity to European markets amid growing energy demand.
Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco are investing in submarine interconnections to export their renewable electricity to European markets amid growing energy demand.
Iran responded to threats of sanctions from the United States and France, denouncing what it sees as illegitimate political pressure and reaffirming its stance on the legality of its oil exports.
Iran responded to threats of sanctions from the United States and France, denouncing what it sees as illegitimate political pressure and reaffirming its stance on the legality of its oil exports.
The United States and Ukraine have established a joint fund to exploit Ukrainian natural resources, under a bilateral agreement with no explicit military commitments.
The United States and Ukraine have signed a bilateral agreement establishing an investment fund aimed at financing reconstruction and natural resource extraction projects on Ukrainian territory.
The United States and Ukraine have signed a bilateral agreement establishing an investment fund aimed at financing reconstruction and natural resource extraction projects on Ukrainian territory.
Mark Carney, the frontrunner in the Canadian elections, will quickly have to manage delicate negotiations with the United States, a major trading partner, amid tariff uncertainties and American economic isolation.
Mark Carney, the frontrunner in the Canadian elections, will quickly have to manage delicate negotiations with the United States, a major trading partner, amid tariff uncertainties and American economic isolation.
Russia and Iran anticipate a sharp acceleration in their trade relations with the entry into force of their free trade agreement in May, covering oil, gas and civil nuclear cooperation.
Russia and Iran anticipate a sharp acceleration in their trade relations with the entry into force of their free trade agreement in May, covering oil, gas and civil nuclear cooperation.
During President Ilham Aliyev's official visit to China, six agreements were signed between Azerbaijan and Chinese partners to develop green energy projects, including solar power plants, an offshore wind farm, and energy storage systems.
Narendra Modi is on an official visit to Saudi Arabia to consolidate energy and trade ties between India and Riyadh, a key strategic supplier of crude oil to New Delhi.
Narendra Modi is on an official visit to Saudi Arabia to consolidate energy and trade ties between India and Riyadh, a key strategic supplier of crude oil to New Delhi.
The United States' dominance in oil and gas production may stagnate and even decline in the coming decades, according to a report from Wood Mackenzie. Technological challenges and the rise of low-carbon energies are key factors in this shift.
The United States' dominance in oil and gas production may stagnate and even decline in the coming decades, according to a report from Wood Mackenzie. Technological challenges and the rise of low-carbon energies are key factors in this shift.
Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar met his Nigerien counterpart in Niamey on April 16, 2025, to discuss economic cooperation and security amidst ongoing political tensions and terrorist threats.
Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar met his Nigerien counterpart in Niamey on April 16, 2025, to discuss economic cooperation and security amidst ongoing political tensions and terrorist threats.
The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, emphasised the urgency of reaching a deal on Iran's nuclear programme before crucial negotiations scheduled this weekend in Rome.
The Greek government formalises maritime zone planning to optimise resource exploitation, particularly in the energy sector, under European and international legal frameworks.
The Greek government formalises maritime zone planning to optimise resource exploitation, particularly in the energy sector, under European and international legal frameworks.
Moscow refuses to specify the expiry date of the Russia-Ukraine energy strike moratorium, despite ongoing tensions and US diplomatic involvement.
Moscow refuses to specify the expiry date of the Russia-Ukraine energy strike moratorium, despite ongoing tensions and US diplomatic involvement.
The Kremlin has confirmed its willingness to actively support a diplomatic resolution on Iran’s nuclear file, ahead of a new round of talks between Tehran and Washington scheduled for this Saturday.
The Kremlin has confirmed its willingness to actively support a diplomatic resolution on Iran’s nuclear file, ahead of a new round of talks between Tehran and Washington scheduled for this Saturday.

Advertising