Moldova does not know whether Transdniestria will have gas from January 1 and is preparing for a crisis

Moldova itself has refused to buy Russian gas and buys it exclusively in the European market. The entire contracted volume of gas from Gazprom transits through Ukraine to the Russian-occupied region of Transdniestria, which in return provides most of Moldova's electricity needs.
"For us, it would be much easier to maintain this scenario. But we understand that this is a much broader discussion that concerns not only the Republic of Moldova. We have conveyed our position to Ukraine, but they are at war, we need to understand this, and they have their own considerations. I admit that transit can be maintained, but I repeat that we need to really prepare for a crisis scenario from January 1, 2025. This will mean that from January 1, Transdniestria will have a problem with the budget, we will have to buy electricity from other sources and raise electricity prices," NOI.md quoted V. Parlicov as saying.
The possible cessation of natural gas supplies to the left bank of the Dniester, home to about 300,000 people, could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe.
"At the moment, we are not sure that there will be gas for the left bank. And if there is, how much and on what terms. We certainly cannot do without the support of external partners. I believe that starting from January 1, 2025, gas volumes for the left bank of the Dniester will be limited. I can't give you exact figures, but I know that any volume that will be supplied will slightly maintain stability in Transnistria. Because if there is no supply at all, the region will collapse," V. Parlicov said.
According to him, during the talks, Gazprom offered the Moldovan delegation to negotiate transit with Ukraine.
"Gazprom knows that there is uncertainty, and the issue of transit through Ukraine does not depend on the Moldovan side. However, they asked us to convince Ukraine to continue transit. We have discussed this and understand that the decision will probably be made at the last moment. It would be much easier for us if the transit was preserved, but everyone realises that there are alternative routes," tv8.md quoted V. Parliсov as saying.
Another alternative would be to transport gas via the southern route: Gazprom would supply fuel to Turkey, and then through Bulgaria, Romania, and Ukraine to Transdniestria.
"Nobody is interested in stopping supplies, as this will cause destabilization in the region. And there – the Russian army, warehouses with weapons, war on the border... There are ways to supply gas to Transnistria. And if supplies are stopped – it will be Gazprom's decision, Russia's decision. Because the issue of gas supplies has long ago, especially after the war in Ukraine, ceased to be a purely economic issue, it is also a political issue," V. Parlicov summarised, – InfoTag reports. The Minister emphasised that Moldova is considering all scenarios and is ready to solve problems together with the Transdniestrian administration and external partners.