The parliament of separatist Transnistria has asked Moscow for help in solving problems with natural gas supplies due to the expiration of the agreement on the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine at the end of December. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Russia will “protect its citizens and peacekeepers” in Transnistria, UNN reports with reference to Euractiv
“Russia will adequately respond to any provocations and ensure the protection of its citizens, peacekeeping contingent, servicemen of the Russian task force and military depots in the village of Kolbasna in Transnistria,” Zakharova said at the briefing and added that Moscow will consider any actions that threaten them as an attack on Russia.
Moldova's pro-European leaders accuse Moscow of “gas blackmail” in an attempt to destabilize the situation. Both Moldova and Transnistria have declared a state of emergency due to the threat of gas supplies being cut off via Ukraine. Prime Minister Dorin Recean said that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin “wants to leave the population of Transnistria without gas” in order to destabilize the situation in Moldova.
Transnistrian parliament speaker Alexander Korshunov said that an appeal was sent to the Kremlin and both chambers of the Russian parliament to conclude a new agreement ensuring further Russian gas supplies through Ukraine. According to him, the Moldovan government should also take steps to reach an agreement.
Moldova held talks with the Russian state-owned gas company Gazprom to secure Russian gas supplies and offered to deliver it through Turkey, Bulgaria, and Romania. No agreements were reached.
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Moldova considers the supplies vital to prevent a humanitarian emergency in Transnistria and to ensure the continued operation of the thermal power plant in the enclave, which provides most of the electricity in government-controlled areas of Moldova.
This week, the central government rejected a proposal by Transnistria to issue a joint appeal to Moscow, saying such a move would be tantamount to de facto recognition of the separatist enclave. It has no international recognition.
Speaking on TV on Wednesday, Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean said that the authorities would consider supplying Transnistria with gas purchased from other countries, but that it would be more expensive.