RIA News:
The Moldavian government is lending 3 million cubic meters of gas. For how many days will this volume be enough for Pridnestrovie and what conditions does Kishinev set?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
This amount of gas will allow maintaining the pressure in the pipeline for a short period of time. I hope it will be enough until the start of full-fledged regular gas supplies to the republic. I emphasize that these meager cubic meters are a forced temporary measure. Their presence does not resolve the energy crisis in any way, since normal gas consumption in Pridnestrovie is about three million cubic meters per day. This is industrial gas, which can last for a week and a half of the current minimum consumption, when gas is not used by the population for heating, but only for cooking in apartment buildings and providing key medical and social facilities. We have undertaken to return this volume or pay for it within the agreed period.
It is necessary to immediately resume stable gas supplies to Pridnestrovie. This is an absolute priority and the only way to resolve the humanitarian and energy crisis. We expect that this will be done by the end of the week.
RIA News:
Why did Tiraspol request exactly 3 million cubic meters? Is there a guarantee now that the parties will reach an agreement? If they do not agree on supplies, what actions does Tiraspol plan to take? Is there a crisis plan?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
As is known, we made a certain gas reserve by saving, stopping the work of energy-intensive enterprises before the crisis. We maintained the conditions for citizens to cook food in their apartments in this way and what is extremely important, we prevented the depressurization of the entire gas system. From a technical point of view, emptying the pipes is fraught with very serious consequences. If there is no gas in it, the system will inevitably become "air-locked". It will take months to restore gas supplies to household consumers in this case. Experts are well aware of these risks. They are quite real now, since our reserves are close to zero. Therefore, we asked Moldova to borrow this volume in order to prevent the worst-case scenario from developing until the full gas supply to the republic is restored.
RIA News:
Moldovan President Maia Sandu said that representatives of official Kishinev have been asking the Pridnestrovian authorities for help since November, but they allegedly went unanswered. Prime Minister Dorin Recean is saying now that the EU has allocated millions of euros to resolve the energy crisis. Is Tiraspol ready to accept help from Moldova?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
Moldavian President Maia Sandu and other Moldovan officials have repeatedly stated publicly that Moldova will not impede the supply of Russian gas to Pridnestrovie. Moreover, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Elina Valtonen officially confirmed during her visit to Pridnestrovie on January 9, 2025 the consent of the Moldovan leadership not to block gas transit to Pridnestrovie, which received international support from the OSCE. When we found an option for quick delivery through a licensed Moldovan supplier, Kishinev immediately refused, thereby prolonging the crisis. In connection with Kishinev's refusal to cooperate with the Moldovan licensed supplier, the Pridnestrovian side continued to search for any available opportunities, including cooperation with Moldovagaz JSC. Pridnestrovie officially agreed in writing to Moldova's next demands to change the mechanism on January 18 of this year, but Kishinev continued to delay. Taking into consideration the extremely difficult socio-economic situation due to the energy crisis, we approached Moldova with the question of returning the customs duties illegally collected during 2024, stopping the obstruction of the export of finished products of our enterprises, and lifting banking restrictions. There was no movement forward. These are the real facts that give an idea of how much Moldova really wants to help Pridnestrovie.
No specific assistance was offered to us from Moldova either in November or after. As for Russia, there were real proposals from the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation. The Russian side has constantly been interested in the state of affairs in the republic, in particular in the energy sector, what can and should be done to restore natural gas supplies to Pridnestrovie in our opinion. Russia has offered, but never imposed various options for solving the problem, it is important to note.
As for European assistance, the European Commission website published information on January 27 that the EU is ready to finance the purchase and transportation of natural gas to Pridnestrovie to help restore electricity and heating by February 10 indeed. The named amount is 30 million euros. This is a very important message for us. Naturally, we will accept this assistance with gratitude. There is no clear information so far about the mechanism and conditions. We asked the Moldovan side today to speed up and not postpone the working meeting. We would like our European colleagues involved in the allocation of this humanitarian aid to join the discussion, voice their position, details, parameters – working points, without which it is impossible to implement even the most good deed in practice.
RIA News:
Moldavian Prime Minister Dorin Recean says that the gas crisis can only be resolved after the withdrawal of Russian troops and peacekeepers from Pridnestrovie. How does Tiraspol feel about such statements and what can they lead to?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
Such statements are very similar to blackmail. It seems that Moldova, in addition to the energy crisis, wants to provoke a region-wide security crisis – this is the only way I can perceive the demands to break the current effective peacekeeping mechanism, which has been maintaining peace on the Dniester for more than three decades. The position of Pridnestrovie on this issue is well known – until a comprehensive and fair settlement of the Moldovan-Pridnestrovian conflict occurs, the peacekeeping operation must continue. Attempts to condition the solution of the gas problem, which is causing hundreds of thousands of Pridnestrovians to suffer, on political ultimatums do not do credit to the Moldovan leaders and speak of their motives in this crisis that are very far from humane.
RIA News:
All major enterprises in Pridnestrovie have been shut down. What losses is the republic suffering as a result of the energy crisis? Is it possible to fulfill social obligations?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
Pridnestrovie is experiencing a major economic shock. As you rightly said, most of our industrial capacities are idle, including the Moldavian Metallurgical Plant, one of the republic's budget-forming enterprises. Only some of the production facilities have been transferred to night work schedules. Exports have fallen sharply, by more than half. So far, January payments have been covered using last year's revenues. The financial situation in Pridnestrovie is very difficult. Taking into account the damage caused by the energy crisis, the Supreme Council has already decided to make serious changes to the current year's budget. Priority remains for fulfilling social obligations to the population, of course.
RIA News:
What is the current general situation in Pridnestrovie? What support measures have been taken for the population so that people can survive this energy crisis?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
Pridnestrovians have been living without heating, hot water, with rolling blackouts for almost a month now. This is in the middle of winter. There are cases of carbon monoxide poisoning when people try to warm themselves with alternative heat sources, including fatal cases. Hundreds of accidents occur on heating and power grids every day.
Most areas of the country's life are functioning in an emergency mode: healthcare, education, economy. Only some of the on-duty kindergartens are working, schools have switched to an asynchronous distance learning format, which will not provide the same knowledge as a normal educational process, of course.
As I have already said, we prepared for the crisis in advance to the best of our ability and capabilities in order to minimize its consequences for the population. Generators were purchased for social and medical institutions, which allows them to function even now. Operational Headquarters was created to take measures related to the cessation of gas supplies in December last year. This includes increasing the number of hospital beds given the projected increase in the incidence rate, preparing rescue services and power grids for possible emergencies, and launching a 24-hour hotline for emergency situations. Warming points for citizens have been organized, targeted assistance is provided to those in need – lonely elderly people, disabled people, large families – in the procurement and delivery of firewood, heaters, and other necessary things. In general, the government and local administrations are doing everything possible to support the population in the current difficult conditions.
RIA News:
Moldovan-controlled villages near the border with Pridnestrovie are against connecting to the Moldovan power grid. Kishinev threatens citizens with sanctions. What is the danger of escalating the situation in these settlements?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
When solving problems, we must first listen to the opinions of the citizens who are directly affected. This is my fundamental position. We cannot ignore the technical aspects, of course.
RIA News:
How does Tiraspol feel about Kishinev's proposal to provide gas for the MGRES in exchange for cheap electricity for the right bank of the Dniester? Could this volume of fuel be enough to cover electricity needs of Pridnestrovie?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
The main task is to resume stable supplies of natural gas to Pridnestrovie as quickly as possible to cover domestic consumption in full. There is and cannot be anything more important than the interests of the people. It is necessary to provide heat and light to homes, to resume the work of schools, kindergartens and all social institutions. The export of electricity from the MGRES, its cost – these are related commercial issues. They are certainly important, but secondary. At the same time, everyone knows that we have never refused adequate approaches, including under the energy contract with Moldova.