Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President:
The agreement on gas transit through the territory of Ukraine expires on December 31, 2024. Natural gas will stop flowing to the territory of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic in case of non-prolongation. These are dry words, dry information. I would like to reveal the essence of the events taking place today.
It was clear before that there would be problems with concluding the agreement. Pridnestrovie worked closely with both the Russian Federation and Ukraine. We negotiated on maintaining the transit of gas sent to Pridnestrovie. There were no direct negotiations with Moldova as such. They were naturally conducted at the level of working groups, at the level of individual contacts.
What is happening today? What situation do we see? Gas can be supplied to the territory of Pridnestrovie in two directions today. First: this is the classic, standard option that we are used to – through the territory of Ukraine. This is Sudzha-Grebeniki. The second is an alternative, which was created four years ago: through Causeni, through Moldova, through Romania, the so-called Turkish Stream to Pridnestrovie. It exists, it works. The cross-section of the pipe and the pressure are quite sufficient to obtain the gas needed both for domestic needs and for generating electricity for export. This must be understood. That is, there are options, but no agreements, in principle. The question arises: who should negotiate? There is such an organization as Moldovagaz, there are officials who are empowered by the government and the president to negotiate, officials specifically in the energy sector, of course. This is their direct responsibility. I want to immediately stop speculation that someone does not want to pass or supply gas. This is not true. I have formed the opinion, the knowledge that neither Russia nor Ukraine want to hinder the supply of natural gas to Pridnestrovie. We just need to come to an agreement, we need to sign an agreement, we need to work in this direction.
I do not see any activity from Moldovagaz in this direction, to be honest. Maybe I do not know something. Perhaps. However, I know something else. When the Moldovan Minister of Energy went to Russia just recently, he met at the highest level at Gazprom with senior officials. There was a quite constructive dialogue about the possibility of supplies, but then he was removed from his post in Moldova for some reason after a short time.
I do not associate this with the negotiations. Anything is possible. But who should speak next? The ball is in the court of Moldovagaz and the relevant officials in Moldova by and large.
Everyone should understand that we will have a very difficult situation in the event of a lack of natural gas. We have always been and are a guaranteed supplier of electricity to the territory of Moldova at the same time. Quality, competitive, permanent and stable. Do you understand? Someone should think about this too, about the citizens of Moldova permanently residing in this state. There is no need to speculate on this. The problem must be solved. There is no point in blaming certain states. This is incorrect and unfair.
Not a single official has said convincingly to date: there will be no gas or there will be gas. There is no such thing. I have already addressed the citizens of our republic and said literally the following. The issue may be in a state of limbo in fact, until the evening of December 31. What should we do? What should we do?
The Security Council met last Friday. We discussed almost everything concerning Pridnestrovie with a wide range of officials. I will say specifically what may happen and what we will decide.
There are more than 150 schools, about the same number of kindergartens, higher and secondary specialized educational institutions operating on the territory of our republic. We must organize and continue the educational process, preserve kindergartens, since not all citizens can take children from kindergartens. This is understandable.
As for correctional institutions, there are about 15 of them, where children are constantly provided for by the state. We must think about how to warm them. Nursing homes, special institutions for people with disabilities – there is also a problem, we will solve it. The next problem is penitentiary institutions, colonies, settlements, prisons and so on. We need to provide people with heat. Next. Hospitals. You understand, about 60 emergency operations are performed in Pridnestrovie per day. The hospital beds are occupied by about 2000 citizens. These are people who need treatment, this is emergency treatment, heart disease, this is oncology, this is postoperative hospitalization, these are inflammatory diseases, these are infections of various kinds. Moreover, the number increases in winter as a rule, unfortunately. We must provide heat to these facilities. You must understand this. About 14 hospitals. I am not even talking about outpatient clinics, polyclinics and so on: of course, there will be an appointment. In addition, 97% of Pridnestrovie is gasified. Of course, this is good, but we depend on it. About 2/3 of the population lives in urban areas, in panel houses. If you can somehow heat the water, install a potbelly stove, etc. in the village, then there will be problems with this in panel houses. We must think about this too. Therefore, the Security Council has clearly set tasks for all officials.
Dear leaders, I want to address you: in the event of "H" time, as they say, in the event of such consequences of the lack of gas, I want to warn you: you will not have New Year's holidays. We will all work – all officials with specifically set tasks. There are still several meetings ahead, where we will clarify the actions of all officials in a given situation, everything that concerns tasks and problems. Nevertheless, I ask you not to despair. There are chances. I think there is enough common sense to understand that it is necessary to maintain the current flows, the current supply and provide both the left and right banks with gas and electricity.