Moldova’s parliament has declared a 60-day national state of emergency beginning 16 December, in response to an anticipated suspension of Russian gas supplies from 1 January. The decision, made in a midnight vote on Friday, was supported by 56 members of the 101-seat chamber following an urgent appeal from Prime Minister Dorin Recean.
Recean framed the move as essential to counter what he called “gas blackmail” by Moscow, aimed at destabilising Moldova and its separatist Transdniestria region.
Critical gas supplies at risk
Moldova currently receives Russian gas via Ukraine, but Kyiv has announced it will not extend its transit agreement with Russia’s Gazprom when the contract expires on 31 December. This has raised fears of a complete gas cutoff.
Prime Minister Recean accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of seeking to leave Transdniestria’s population “without gas and electricity,” effectively holding them hostage. “This winter must be the last in the country’s history when we can be subject to energy blackmail,” Recean asserted during his address to parliament.
State of emergency measures
The state of emergency allows the Moldovan government to act swiftly in securing alternative energy sources and regulating energy exports. This is crucial for maintaining stability in Moldova’s central regions and preventing a humanitarian crisis in Transdniestria, a breakaway territory heavily dependent on Russian gas.
A government statement warned that failing to supply gas to Transdniestria would lead to severe consequences, including disruptions to Moldova’s electricity sector and a deepening humanitarian crisis.
The role of Transnistria
Since 2022, Moldova’s government has channelled all Russian gas supplies to Transdniestria, home to a major gas-powered electricity plant. The plant is vital not only to the separatist region’s economy but also to the power grid of government-controlled areas in Moldova.
On Tuesday, Transdniestria declared its own economic state of emergency in anticipation of energy shortages, underscoring the fragility of the situation.
Alternative routes and Russian demands
Recean dismissed Ukraine’s decision to halt gas transit as an “artificial problem,” suggesting Russian gas could instead be delivered via alternative routes, such as the TurkStream pipeline. This pipeline connects Russia to Turkey, with possible onward transit through Bulgaria and Romania to Moldova.
However, Gazprom’s willingness to supply gas via these routes hinges on Moldova addressing a long-standing debt dispute. According to Russian calculations, Moldova owes $709 million for past supplies, though this figure is contested by Chişinău.
Broader implications
The gas crisis comes amid heightened tensions between Moldova and Russia, with Moldova pursuing closer ties with the European Union. Energy blackmail has been a recurring strategy in Moscow’s efforts to maintain influence over former Soviet states.
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Declaring a state of emergency underscores the urgency with which Moldova is addressing its energy challenges. The government hopes this measure will ensure energy stability throughout the winter while paving the way for greater energy independence in the future.
Regional and international context
The potential cutoff is part of broader disruptions to European energy markets resulting from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and Western sanctions on Russia. Moldova’s situation highlights the interconnectedness of energy security across the region, as nations seek to reduce reliance on Russian energy while managing their own domestic challenges.
As the 60-day emergency period begins, Moldova’s ability to secure alternative energy sources and resolve its debt dispute with Gazprom will be critical in avoiding a deeper crisis. The unfolding situation will also test the resilience of Moldova’s government and its capacity to protect vulnerable populations during a time of geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
In the meantime, the risk of an energy crisis this winter remains a stark reminder of the broader consequences of Europe’s shifting energy dynamics.
