How Russia uses Gazprom to influence Moldova’s energy and politics
For more than three decades, the Russian Federation has supported the separatist regime in Tiraspol by providing gas supplies and intends to continue doing so through various means.
The energy crisis presented an opportunity for Chișinău to reintegrate the Transnistrian region, stated Alexandru Flenchea, the former Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration. Black Sea region expert Mihai Isac observes that, through hybrid strategies, Russia employs Gazprom as a political weapon against Moldovan citizens and will likely find new ways to sabotage Moldova’s democratic processes from within.
“The Russian Federation has supported this regime for over three decades through gas supplies and remains willing to do so. There are many methods at its disposal, and we see how Russia implements them. The question remains: why were we not ready to replace Russian gas from the very beginning? The sad reality is that whoever controls the energy resources of the Transnistrian region ultimately controls it politically. As such, we can speak of a missed opportunity for reintegration. We replaced Russian gas on the right bank of the Dniester some time ago, but all claims about Moldova’s independence from Russian gas have proven to be just that—claims,” Flenchea explained.
The former Deputy Prime Minister also noted that Moscow seeks to influence the decisions of Moldova’s authorities. “I fear that we are in a situation that, while legally clean, carries a politically damaging impact for our country. This is a situation we, as a state—Moldova—have allowed to unfold. I am not referring to any specific company. I am referring to a situation in which, in our country, on the left bank of the Dniester, pressure could be exerted on the right bank. It is the Russian Federation that dictates what will happen: whether electricity will be available, at what cost, and in what quantity. In essence, Moldova’s energy sovereignty has shifted to Moscow.”
Black Sea expert Mihai Isac emphasizes that Romania will continue to stand by the people of Moldova, irrespective of the government in power in Chișinău. “If, following the parliamentary elections, the process of European integration continues, support will be much more effective because there will be reliable partners to work with. At present, certain shortcomings in Gazprom’s actions directly influence the management of this relationship. Of course, the current administration in Chișinău can be held accountable for many shortcomings, but we have seen stronger states than Moldova fall victim to the hybrid strategies of the Russian Federation, which uses Gazprom as a political weapon against Moldovan citizens and beyond. It is clear that Russia will continue to identify new ways to undermine Moldova’s democratic processes from within. We see significant involvement of religious institutions and efforts to manipulate the will of Moldova’s electorate.”
A day after his visit to Moscow, separatist leader Vadim Krasnoselski announced that an agreement had been reached regarding the delivery of natural gas to the left bank of the Dniester.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
