The leader of Transnistria, a pro-Russian separatist region of Moldova, Vadim Krasnosselski, said on Telegram on Monday 10 February that gas would henceforth be supplied to the territory by a Hungarian company, with the participation of Moldovagaz.
This was “made possible thanks to Russia’s credit and functional support”, he explained. Hungary thus receives the majority of its Russian gas supplies via Turkstream.
Moldova was able to fund emergency gas deliveries with an EU envelope of €30 million following the end of Russian supplies on 1 January. This was then followed by the offer of an EU aid package of €250 million. At the same time, €60 million were presented to support Transnistria exclusively, subject to compliance with human rights conditions (see EUROPE 13572/2), which Transnistria refused.
“On the medium term, the EU offer of €60 million was a solution to rid the Transnistrian region of blackmail and energy instability (...) Russia does not allow (Tiraspol) to accept European aid, for fear of losing control over the region”, explained Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean on Facebook. (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)