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Title: President Zelensky Offers Ukraine Support Amid Energy Crisis in Moldova, Vows to Stabilize Regions

In a series of international conversations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky voiced his commitment to assisting Moldova, particularly during the ongoing energy challenges. Speaking with Moldovan President Maia Sandu, Zelensky emphasized the need to alleviate the energy crisis and prevent Russia from exacerbating social tensions.

Zelensky asserted that the current energy situation in Moldova, especially in the left-bank region of Dniester, was an attempt by Russia to manipulate energy resources against the Moldovan government. He expressed his country’s readiness to provide assistance, including coal supplies, to help maintain stability and ensure that all Moldovans can live securely and work towards reducing poverty and integrating with the European Union.

The conversation also touched on regional security and recent developments on the Ukrainian front, with Sandu reiterating her support for Ukraine in its defense of sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as peace in Moldova.

The energy crisis in the Russia-occupied region of Moldova, known as Transnistria, has grown severe in recent weeks. Residents have faced disruptions in heating, hot water, and electricity supplies due to Russia’s refusal to honor contractual gas supply obligations. Many thousands have been left without essential services, including access to clean water. Moldovan officials have previously accused Russia of using the situation to blackmail the country through Gazprom.

With dwindling coal supplies expected to last only until January, the energy crisis in Transnistria continues to pose a significant humanitarian concern. Meanwhile, Zelensky’s offer of support highlights Ukraine’s commitment to bolstering regional stability amidst ongoing tensions and Russian aggression.

Title: Looming Humanitarian Disaster in Russian-Occupied Transnistria is asking Russia for protection. Here’s what to know – CNN”>Transnistria as Heat and Power Dwindle

In the Russian-occupied region of Transnistria, a part of Moldova, a colossal humanitarian crisis is brewing. After "Gazprom" ceased gas supplies at the start of January, the region has been left without heat, and electrical power is next in line to be cut off.

Local news outlets report that the Molдавская ГРЭС (Moldavian Power Plant), situated in Transnistria, has switched to coal following the gas suspension. However, coal reserves are insufficient, with current supplies only lasting until mid-February – approximately 50 days – to keep the lights on for regional residents. The power plant, owned by the Russian company Inter RAO, has also halted electricity exports to the rest of Moldova under government control.

Transnistrian authorities claim they have "measures in place" to mitigate the impact of the gas cessation, while Moldova’s national energy company, Energocom, has stated it will bridge the resultant power deficit by increasing local production and importing power from Romania.

Earlier reports by Dialog.UA indicated that the halt in Russian gas deliveries led to the shutdown of heating and hot water systems across the region, with only hospitals maintaining their supplies.

The gas crisis in Transnistria can be traced back to late last year when Gazprom announced it would halt gas supplies to Moldova, including those destined for Transnistria. Russia’s state-owned gas giant cited Moldova’s unwillingness to address its debt as the reason for the move. Moldovan officials, however, have maintained that the debt in question was declared null and void by an independent international audit.

Title: Moldova‘s Interim Gas Boss Responds to Gazprom‘s Supply halt; PM Condemns Russia’s ‘Political Weapon’ Use

The interim chairman of Moldovagaz, Vadim Cheban, has acknowledged Gazprom’s decision to halt gas supplies to Moldova starting January 1, 2025. In a statement, Cheban revealed that since December 2022, all Russian gas had been rerouted to the Pridnestrovian region. Meanwhile, gas for consumers on the right bank of the Dniester River has been sourced from regional and European markets.

Notably, Cheban confirmed that Moldovagaz has secured sufficient gas volumes to fully meet the right bank’s demand until March 2025.

Gazprom’s Justification and Moldova’s PM Response

Gazprom cited unfulfilled payment obligations as the reason for its decision. However, Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Reчан dismissed this as yet another move by Russia to leave the residents of the Pridnestrovian region without heating and electricity this winter. He accused Russia of using energy as a political tool and hostage-taking, as it controls the region through its illegal military presence.

Rechán firmly condemned Russia’s coercive tactics and stated that Moldova does not recognize the debt declared invalid by international audit. He emphasized that Moldova has diversified its gas sources to reduce dependence on a single supplier. In response to Gazprom’s move, he reassured citizens that the government will ensure gas supplies from alternative sources and protect vulnerable consumers.

Furthermore, Rechán hinted at exploring legal avenues, including international arbitration, to safeguard Moldova’s national interests and seek compensation for economic damages and threats to citizens’ security caused by Russia’s decisions.

Ukraine‘s Gas Transit Revenue and Russia‘s Pivotal European Market

Ukraine has been reaping significant financial benefits from the transit of Russian gas, earning between $0.8 billion to $1 billion annually in transit fees. However, the future of this revenue stream is uncertain as the current transit agreement expires at the end of 2024, with Russia expressing willingness to extend it but Ukraine reiterating its refusal.

Russia has invested over five decades in establishing its foothold in the European gas market, with its peak share reaching 35%. Despite the reduction in supplies through Ukraine, Russia continues to supply around 15 billion cubic meters of gas annually, equivalent to about 8% of its peak exports to Europe.

Meanwhile, Gazprom’s exports of pipeline gas to Europe in 2024 are projected to reach 32 billion cubic meters, up from 28.3 billion cubic meters in 2023. This increase comes despite the complications caused by the discontinuation of supplies to Austria and the subsequent rerouting of gas to other buyers.

The Soviet-era Urengoy-Pomary-Uzhhorod pipeline, currently flowing through Ukrainian-controlled Sudzha in Russia’s Kursk region, plays a crucial role in this scenario. It supplies gas from Siberian fields to SZ Kubernetes in Slovakia, with further branches serving customers in the Czech Republic and Austria.

The European countries relying on this pipeline include Slovakia, which imports around 3 billion cubic meters of gas annually from Gazprom, accounting for about two-thirds of its needs. Austria and Hungary also remain dependent on Russian gas, with Hungary obtaining approximately two-thirds of its gas imports from Russia.

While some alternative routes like the Nord Stream and Yamal-Europe pipelines are inoperational, the TurkStream and Blue Stream pipelines continue to supply Russian gas to Turkey and Europe. Turkey, subsequently, oversees the transmission of Russian gas to countries like Hungary and Bulgaria.

However, negotiations between Moscow and Kiev for continuing Russian gas exports through Ukraine have reportedly stalled, with a potential mediation attempt led by Azerbaijan proving unsuccessful. Gazprom, Russia’s dominant gas exporter, recorded a $7 billion net loss in 2023 following its retreat from European markets.