Transnistria can receive Russian gas in the same manner as Slovakia, stated Moldova's President Maia Sandu on the local TV channel TV8 on Friday.
"Today, I read in the press that Slovakia receives gas from Gazprom via Turkey. Slovakia is a member of the European Union. This means that such supplies do not violate the sanctions regime. It also confirms that an alternative gas supply route exists besides the Ukrainian transit, despite Moscow's claims to the contrary," Sandu said.
According to her, after February 10, there are two scenarios regarding the continuation of gas supplies to the region: either Transnistria accepts the conditions of the EU aid package of 60 million euros, which will cover their gas consumption for household needs until mid-April, or they will have to find a way to secure supplies of Russian gas or gas purchased in the region with Russian funds.
"But this is only possible based on a formula that does not violate the international sanctions regime and national legislation," Sandu emphasized.
The administration of the Transnistrian region has not yet responded to the proposal from the authorities in Chișinău and Brussels to provide the region with 60 million euros for the purchase of natural gas, conditional on meeting a range of 'mandatory conditions'. This assistance is dependent on measures taken regarding fundamental freedoms and human rights in the Transnistrian region. Tariffs for heating, gas, and electricity must correspond to market prices, which will be paid by residential and industrial consumers, as noted in the European Commission's statement.
As reported, gas supplies to the Transnistrian region resumed on February 1. The gas supplies from Moldova to Transnistria are funded by a 30 million euro EU grant, of which 20 million euros are allocated for purchasing gas for the left bank, and 10 million euros for purchasing electricity for the right bank on authorized trading platforms in the EU and Ukraine.
With EU funds, gas supplies to Transnistria will continue based on an agreed schedule with "Tiraspoltransgaz" until February 10, at a volume of no more than 3 million cubic meters per day.
It was also reported that as of January 1, the pumping of Russian gas to Transnistria ceased after Ukraine stopped its transportation through its own gas transportation system. Against this backdrop, Gazprom limited supplies through Moldova to zero cubic meters per day, citing the country's historical debt. Since December 10, a state of emergency has been in effect in the economy of Transnistria, and since December 16, in right-bank Moldova. From January 3, authorities in Transnistria implemented rolling blackouts, which were lifted on February 1.