The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
Dear journalists, representatives of the media, ladies and gentlemen. I would like to give some comments. The questions both from you and from citizens have been accumulated. This is to clarify certain facts, to dispel doubts. We will now discuss gas, electricity, aid to people, and offers of aid from other countries, the crisis, the escalation that is being generated by someone. We will talk about this in more detail, of course, but there is one reason for all these, let's say, consequences. I see it, I know it, and it is absolutely objective. It is the lack of normal dialogue between Pridnestrovie and Moldova. This is the reason for all these consequences – and even the energy one. If there had been a normal dialogue between Moldova and Pridnestrovie, there would not even have been the energy crisis that is currently taking place in Pridnestrovie, perhaps. There would be no statements about some kind of escalation, about Tiraspol preparing for escalation. There would be no such thing because there would be a dialogue. Let me remind you that I spoke about this back in 2019, I repeat once again, it was Moldova that destroyed the 5+2 format, destroyed it de facto by refusing to sign the final document on the 5+2 meeting. There was the pandemic then, the hostilities in Ukraine. The format does not work. It exists de jure, de facto it does not. It was the Moldovan side that did everything to ensure that this format did not exist. I will explain why. Because in this format, Pridnestrovie and Moldova have equal rights and equal responsibilities: they have equal weight. This did not suit some Moldovan politicians at all. Therefore, the format was destroyed. There are other circumstances that prevent the resumption of this format today, of course, but, they are all subjective, in my opinion. A format can be created, a meetings can be held and all the problems that have arisen can be discussed, a way out of almost any situation can be found if there is a will, if there is a desire. Naturally, I have always looked for ways of dialogue as a person responsible to the people, to the state. There is no way without dialogue. I have repeatedly offered to meet with the President of Moldova, I wrote letters, I received no response. I am sure that if Ms. Sandu had learned the facts from me personally, half of the statements that she made and commented on would not have happened, because these statements are the result of ignorance of information, ignorance of the situation, ignorance of the circumstances in fact. Who, if not me, could explain everything? Of course, we would discuss issues of possible de-escalation, issues of peace, security, any energy problems, any problems that we have. There are many of them, there are a ton of them in fact. When Ms. Sandu says that this is the government level unfortunately, Mr. Serebrian does not reach this level, in my opinion. More on that later. There is documentary evidence of the unwillingness to talk with Pridnestrovie today. Therefore, the situation we have today is the result of the absence of normal political dialogue. Simply the absence of dialogue. Somewhere there are informal channels, informal sources. This does not solve the problems. There must be official normal meetings where certain documents are signed and they are implemented then. This is important. Unofficially, you can talk and declare as much as you like, but words are things, you know – not everyone implements them. When a document is signed, and when the guarantors put their signatures next to it, then you can at least turn to someone and find out why this is happening, why it is not being implemented, and so on. Therefore, I insist on continuing the work of the "5+2" format and naturally on a meeting not of political representatives, they naturally exist, they should exist in any case, but of the heads of state – Pridnestrovie and Moldova, of course. Well, that's where I started. Let’s discuss the questions that interest you, dear colleagues.
Igor Avrenev, TSV:
What are the results of your visit to Moscow? This is what everyone is interested in now. Who initiated this visit?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
The visit took place. I was asked questions regarding the fact that I didn’t talk about the visit. I never talk about trips. Why do that? I don’t work for PR, you understand, I work for the result. It’s not the fact of the trip itself that’s important, but its result is important.
The initiative was joint with the Russian side. The negotiations were held at the level of the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation. The issue of resuming gas supplies to Pridnestrovie was being resolved. I hope that based on the results of these negotiations, in the near future, we just have to be patient, gas will go to Pridnestrovie. Both for generating electricity and for heating our citizens.
Viktor Berezhnoy, First Pridnestrovian TV Channel:
Vadim Nikolaevich, regarding the resumption of gas supplies, was it discussed for how long this could be?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
No. There are no details – until the certain date, but the fact is that the supply will begin. We will see how the situation goes.
Yulia Gorlova, "Sputnik" News Agency:
Vadim Nikolaevich, was the issue of the volumes of gas supplied discussed? Will it be only for the internal needs of Pridnestrovie, or will it be returned in the previous version?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
This gas will be supplied as humanitarian. This should be understood immediately. As it was before, this is humanitarian gas of the Russian Federation – in the volume that is necessary for the population of Pridnestrovie, for the thermal power industry and for industrial enterprises of Pridnestrovie. In this segment only.
Irina Levitskaya, TSV:
Vadim Nikolaevich, you started your speech by saying that the reason we have an energy crisis is the lack of dialogue between Moldova and Pridnestrovie. When the gas problem became obvious, Pridnestrovie immediately proposed to jointly appeal to Russia and Ukraine in order to resume gas transit. We know that Moldova ignored this proposal. Why are Moldova taking such actions in your opinion?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
You know, I carefully read the briefing of the President of Moldova Maia Sandu yesterday. Do you know what I noticed. I will answer your question, it just needs to be explained, it is not something you can just answer. You need to understand the depth of the problem. I saw that Ms. Sandu is sincerely mistaken in her assessments. Maybe not on all the positions she presented, but mostly she is sincerely mistaken. I repeat, if there had been a dialogue, this probably would not have happened. Ms. Sandu does not understand the level of problems and what is happening here in Pridnestrovie. How is President Sandu different from President Krasnoselsky, from me in this regard? Ms. Sandu judges the work only by the reports. Someone brings her these reports, I do not know who draws them up, where they get the information from, and so on. I organized all this work together with my colleagues: back in December, even earlier – I will also talk about this. Naturally, I take part in the work of the Operational Headquarters, I know all the problems, I know what works, how it works, how we influence the situation to be stable. I am a practitioner in this regard. I do not deal with theory. That is why we differ. For example, Ms. Sandu says that hospitals in Pridnestrovie do not work, people do not receive proper medical care, ambulances from Moldova are not allowed into Pridnestrovie. Even this point is a mistake. Ms. Sandu is mistaken. In fact, 11 out of 13 inpatient hospitals are functioning. They have heat, gas, and good food. Only two hospitals are partially functioning. These are the hospital in Rybnitsa and the hospital in Dubossary, but all inpatients from there have been transferred to other hospitals in our cities and regions. It is warm there. 2400 hospital beds have been deployed in Pridnestrovie as of today. 1400 of these hospital beds are occupied. That is, we have 1000 hospital beds in reserve in case of need. There are 54 ambulances operating inside Pridnestrovie, responding to calls every day. There have been about 700 ambulance calls in total since January 1. This is as usual. Life goes on as usual, the healthcare system is functioning. Polyclinics are working, people are asking for help, and they are receiving it. Even dentistry is working in these conditions. Everything is fine. Our hospitals mainly operate on gas, which we have accumulated. We have prepared for this. The Republican Clinical Hospital operates on diesel fuel. A modular boiler house has been installed there, and it is functional – it provides the Republican Clinical Hospital with all the heat. There are no problems, no panic. Moreover, many citizens of Moldova, from the neighboring state, from the border territories traditionally seek medical care in the city of Bendery – both in the children's hospital and in the city hospital. They receive it there. This is no secret. The 12 villages that Ms. Sandu names, which are located in other territories – their residents seek help in our hospitals and receive it there 100%. Who prepares these materials for Ms. President? I do not know, maybe some provocateurs, but this is simply, you know, for fake, frame. In order to understand the work and readiness of our system (this includes healthcare, correctional institutions where people of different categories are located – both children and adults), and the readiness of Pridnestrovie in general to meet this disaster, I propose that the OSCE Mission officially visit our life support facilities, healthcare facilities, correctional institutions, institutions of the Department of Corrections system, that is, places of deprivation of liberty, and see how we solve problems, how we fight these challenges, see that people are provided with both heat and food. I have already instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs Vitaly Viktorovich Ignatiev to convey the official address of the PMR President. Let the OSCE Mission, together with our specialists, look, draw a conclusion, prepare a report, probably, for Moldovan officials, so that they really understand that things are difficult for us, but we are coping. Why are we coping? It is very important to understand here. In fact, Pridnestrovie began preparing for these tests in advance. I will say this, 5 years ago, 4 years ago we carried out certain activities on the gas system to provide. That's one. We bought generators for the healthcare system two years ago, for correctional institutions, for other social institutions to provide them with constant electricity because I assumed something like that. Why did I assume it? Let me explain. I am not a clairvoyant, but I saw the incorrect attitude of Moldovagaz towards Gazprom. I thought that this would lead to a conflict of interests sooner or later, and we would be the injured party. I understood that we had to be prepared for this, and we prepared. Generators were installed a year and a half or two ago. They know about this, but on the right bank they don't know. Well, I'm not even interested, basically. This is our job. As for today's crisis: you all witnessed how we prepared throughout December, how we set up state authorities, what instructions we gave to managers, how we prepared firewood, created sites, eliminated speculation, and moved everyone who was needed from correctional institutions to warm hospitals before the New Year. We created beds for them, provided medical care and food. Hundreds of people were moved. We did not wait for January 1st. We did it in advance, so that there would be no hysteria and panic. Do you understand? This is a huge amount of work, in fact, but it has been done. We began purchasing solid fuel boilers in advance, providing our correctional institutions and the healthcare system with alternative power sources. Elektromash is already getting to work today – it will manufacture boilers that are needed by citizens, administrative institutions, and other institutions. The work is enormous.
There were 1700 electrical network breaks during this period of time, all of them have been eliminated. People work around the clock, to the point of exhaustion, but they work, they succeed. One and a half thousand heating network failures – they have all been eliminated. Of course, the problem is huge, people are having a hard time, society is tense, but we do not wait for someone to help us. No. We are saving ourselves, minimizing the consequences. It is very difficult. I sincerely wish that there were no such trials in Moldova. I do not wish such problems on my neighbors. There is no reason to be happy about this. Moreover, we have extensive experience in building administrative verticals of decision-making in Pridnestrovie, creating operational headquarters, call centers and organizing assistance to citizens. We can provide practical assistance, organizational assistance if there are certain problems in Moldova suddenly. As for the escalation. I also read. Ms. Sandu says that this humanitarian problem is directed by the Kremlin so that there is an escalation on the right bank. I cannot understand how this is possible. How do you imagine this, gentlemen? Yes, we have a crisis, it is difficult for us, we have humanitarian problems in this area, but we are coping with the situation, and where is the escalation? I cannot understand this. How is this even possible? Why? This is outright speculation. I want to tell everyone once again both friends and foes that Pridnestrovie will cope with the situation, cope with the problems, that the leadership of Pridnestrovie is united with the people. The people understand and are fighting. We will definitely overcome all difficulties. I have no doubt about it. The fact is that Pridnestrovie has never been a chimney of escalation. It will not be in either situation. Today's problems are not a reason to escalate. Not a reason at all. WE must help each other if necessary on the contrary. As for assistance, I have already spoken about assistance and I will officially declare it to everyone once again. There have been no official letters of assistance to the President of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, the Supreme Council and the Government of Pridnestrovie from any persons or states. Please, imagine: there is a President, the Office of the Presidential Administration is working, I learn that someone says they are ready to provide assistance. How are they ready? So write, state your position, hold a meeting at least at the level of Serebryan and Ignatyev. I am showing you the latest letter from Mr. Serebryan. You might think that I am fixated on this gentleman. No. This is how it works. He gives us food for thought and an assessment of the real desires of Moldova, the so-called assistance to us. The letter of January 14, 2025, that is, the last one, where Mr. Serebryan officially refuses to meet with Mr. Ignatyev and discuss any issues, saying that the meeting should be held exclusively in Chisinau, otherwise there will be no meeting. Although there are neutral platforms, there are OSCE platforms. This is a refusal, do you understand? In fact, this is a refusal. Mr. Ignatiev cannot go to Chisinau today. I declare this openly. He is personally in danger. Mr. Serebryan knows perfectly well why, but he is being deliberately disingenuous. He writes about a meeting in Chisinau, knowing that Mr. Ignatiev cannot go there. For absolutely objective reasons. There is another letter - from the OSCE mission, where they say that the meeting should be held in Bendery and all humanitarian issues should be discussed at the same time. Here is the true picture of the actions of the Chisinau authorities. I am convinced that Ms. Sandu does not know about the actions of Mr. Serebryan, does not know and is sincerely mistaken. I suggest calling him and asking why this is being done at all. That December letter, to which they are appealing, is public, so read it, what kind of help is there. There is not even a half-hint about help, only general phrases. There is absolutely nothing except speculation and demagogy. We are working. This is what makes us different. We are working, even while I was in Moscow, I was constantly in touch with officials and, naturally, assessed the work, including the Operational Headquarters. I will work in this direction today, and tomorrow I will work in this direction, regardless of the developing situation. There is no other way. People's lives and their health depend on this. Therefore, if there is a desire to help, please, we are waiting for letters to our address indicating real sources of assistance and so on. What positive did I find in Ms. Sandu's statements? Thank her for this. The fact that they will not interfere with the entry of gas. This is encouraging, this is very good. This excludes any escalation scenarios for the development of events. Therefore, we come to the conclusion again: there is not enough dialogue. An elementary phone call, an elementary conversation, would probably remove a lot of questions, reduce the degree of misunderstanding and the so-called escalation, which, in principle, does not exist.
Viktor Savchenko, First Pridnestrovian TV Channel:
Vadim Nikolaevich, several questions at once, if you allow. Could you voice if possible some technical possibilities for delivering gas to Pridnestrovie. What routes, volumes, who will pay for the transit? You have already mentioned that this will be for domestic consumption in Pridnestrovie. Hence the question, can we export electricity to Moldova? If not? Are there any ideas on how the shortfall in budget revenue will be compensated?
The second question, you have already raised the issue of escalation. Unfortunately, aggressive statements have been made from Chisinau for several weeks and before that, earlier. There are legislative initiatives that are clearly aimed at making life worse for the citizens of Pridnestrovie. In particular, there are conversations about driver's licenses. Constant aggression, aggression, aggression. Things are not good in Moldova at the same time. They buy electricity every day: for today, then buy more for tomorrow. If they do not receive electricity from us, will this aggression spread even more, will this escalation, roughly speaking, not only affect us economically, but will also create political difficulties in relations with Moldova, will they be even more aggressive towards Pridnestrovie?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
Pray God the aggression will actually decrease. I am a very peace-loving person, I am not an aggressor, I do not generate aggression and escalation. On the contrary, I am trying to reduce the degree of tension, remove this tension altogether, explain if you have noticed. I say this completely sincerely. I do not see that Ms. Sandu is ready for aggression. I say this sincerely. This is the truth. You see, Moldova has already made many mistakes in its history. Moldova is dependent on its decisions, it cannot act openly, honestly and frankly. Let's even talk about help. Dear citizens of Moldova, if you suddenly decide to help Pridnestrovie, carefully read the Criminal Code, the law on separatism. You all fall under the criminal liability of Moldova under the law on separatism. All who wish to help us, you will all be subjects of a criminal article – at the discretion of the prosecutor and the special services. Of course, you may not notice, but if you want, you can remember. That is, Moldova is adopting a law on separatism – rigid, incomprehensible, difficult to apply in practice in my opinion. Nevertheless, it hangs like the sword of Damocles, and objectively all who want to help or even declare this, can become defendants in criminal cases of separatism. Who talks about this, who thinks about this? Who thought about this when it was adopted? We have repeatedly spoken about this. Me personally, our political representative, we spoke about the insignificance of these articles, but no one listened to us. The OSCE even said that this is wrong, that it needs to be clarified, it needs to be specified. They were not heard in this part either. Victor, as for relations and further deterioration, I still hope that there will be no deterioration. Everyone will find common sense and understanding of the situation. I am sure, my press conference today will be heard, some conclusions will be made. As for routes, fees, transit, this is all a matter of negotiations. It is too early to answer these questions. The time will come – I will answer.
Alexander Karasev, The Pridnestrovie newspaper:
The trouble happened, but we are getting out of it. We have already said that the implementation of the measures started to transfer facilities to alternative fuel sources will continue, our enterprises will start working. What can be done to start production after the downtime?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
I will say this: we have always been concerned about the problem of alternative power sources. I have already said that these are generators. We will be working on solid fuel boilers. We will also be working on green energy, that is, generating electricity from solar panels. By the way, this is also a good, promising topic. I will sign a decree on this matter literally in the next few days, we will open a good corridor of opportunities for those investors who want to work in this area. This is important.
As for enterprises, of course, they are largely dependent on gas. Therefore, the presence of natural gas will ensure their production capabilities.
Alexander Lagutin, RIA Novosti:
Vadim Nikolaevich, were there any contacts with the Ukrainian side during this crisis? There are many reports now that Kyiv is ready to help with coal. Can coal somehow normalize the energy situation in Pridnestrovie?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
Coal is not a panacea for our problems in fact. Coal is only a material for generating electricity, and we need gas for gas boiler houses. Do you understand? 97% of the territory of Pridnestrovie is gasified. 286 medium and large heating stations operate on gas, as far as I remember in Pridnestrovie. That is, they operate exclusively on gas. Coal is needed for the station, for generating electricity. The units need technical modernization. The conditions for processing this coal indicate that it is necessary to take technical breaks, and modernize and repair, roughly speaking, the system. The station simply physically cannot operate on coal all the time. We still have coal reserves. We will certainly replenish them. Of course, we are concerned about the problem of replenishing coal reserves, and we will 100% deal with this problem. This is the reserve, the emergency reserve, that should be. There are certain standards, and the amount of coal must comply with these standards. Of course, our station can simultaneously store about a million tons of coal for its production processes in total, but there is an emergency reserve that must be replenished.
Irina Levitskaya, TSV:
I would like to return to the question regarding Moldova again. The Moldovan authorities there almost every day say that it is good, it is profitable to buy electricity and gas from European suppliers. I would like to hear your assessment on the topic of who benefits from this. For the population of Moldova, who are already in shock from the bills they have received for utilities? Or is it profitable for energy suppliers?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
I am sure that this area of the economy is overly politicized in Moldova. Politicization only harms economic development, it increases prices as a rule, and entails an increase in the cost of energy resources both gas and electricity. Ms. Sandu said that Moldova paid for gas that was supplied to Pridnestrovie, and it was expensive for Moldova. Why is this being done? This is not true. Moldova has never paid and will not pay for gas supplied to Pridnestrovie by the Russian Federation. I think, this is a sincere misconception. Probably, someone prepared a certificate that Moldova paid for gas in Pridnestrovie. Or this is being done for the domestic consumer, for citizens, for society. It is necessary to explain. What needs to be explained? Elementary. Let's say, when the MGRES station generated electricity for Moldova using gas, we supplied it there for 6 cents (6.6 cents per 1 kilowatt, to be more specific). The electricity was sold to citizens at 2-3 times the price. Who made money? Some energy supply companies and networks. 200-300% addition to price is very expensive, excuse me. We also supply electricity to our citizens and we know how much it costs. It does not cost 200-300%. This is what needs to be explained to our citizens – why the citizens of Moldova paid so much with cheap electricity imports from the GRES in Dnestrovsk. It is clear, Moldova buys from Romania, and the price is very high, and here everything is clear why prices are rising now, naturally. Yes, everything is clear now, it was unclear before. As for all the disputes between Moldovagaz and Gazprom, I do not want to comment on them, I do not want to understand them, this is not our dispute. This is a dispute between Moldovagaz, namely the Moldovan consumer and Gazprom. Pridnestrovie was not and will not be involved in this dispute. We are not a subject. The claims against us are insignificant and unfounded. Why is this being done? I have already said. They need to somehow explain to their society why they pay so much: Pridnestrovie is to blame. Pridnestrovie is not to blame, I am officially saying this. Pridnestrovie is not to blame for why Moldovan citizens receive such bills for gas and electricity. This is their internal affair. This is their so-called politicized business. People suffer. This is what needs to be explained.
Igor Avrenev, TSV:
Vadim Nikolaevich, 11 settlements in Moldova were counted at first, then 12 were left without heat like Pridnestrovie, with rolling blackouts, it turns out. When gas appears, what should we do with these villages? What will happen to them?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
We will work in the previous mode, this is not even specified. Of course, when everything is restored, God willing, all citizens living in these villages will receive energy resources – both gas and electricity according to the rules that were before.
Irina Levitskaya, TSV:
I would like to know how quickly our utilities will be able to return to the previous mode of operation when gas arrives. I would like to ask about schoolchildren, are any options being worked out for them?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
I will say this with full responsibility, knowing the situation. Our utilities are ready to accept gas and will switch to the corresponding service in the shortest possible time. The Operational Headquarters is working. Everyone knows what to do in the event of one or another development of events.
Our schoolchildren are on vacation. This is normal. The vacation has been extended. Naturally, the schools will be heated when the gas is received, day or two for the premises to gain heat and the educational process will resume, of course. By the way, work is underway, the educational process is underway in correctional institutions, where there is heat. There is no catastrophe. I do not advise anyone to speculate on this either.
If we are talking about help or not a desire to help, but somehow speculate. Please, pay attention to what a wave of information has come to Pridnestrovie since January 1. Only speculation. One desire for Pridnestrovie to fail. What kind of help is this? Look closely at where these Telegram channels are, other information channels. They are not in Pridnestrovie. They are abroad, exactly in those territories where they seem to want to "help" us. They also hoped that Pridnestrovie would fall into, so to speak, a deadly pit then, when there was a pandemic. It didn't work out. We will cope with the situation now. Yes, it is difficult. I understand people. I understand when people say that it is necessary faster. People will be given heat and gas as soon as possible. Do not doubt it. We are doing everything that depends on us, and even more. Just a little more patience is left, and everything will be stabilized.
Viktor Savchenko, First Pridnestrovian TV Channel:
Vadim Nikolaevich, if we return to the topic of these villages, our villages under the control of Chisinau. What if Chisinau wants to transfer the people, the villages to the energy system of Moldova? Maya Grigoryevna raised this issue, and she came there. The reaction of the people there was dubious about whether they want it or not. If they still want to transfer to the energy system of Moldova, will we put up obstacles, can we do it?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
I am not the person who puts up obstacles. They want to connect villages and gas transportation systems with networks – yes, please. There are laws of physics, you understand, there is a balance of electricity. Here we should talk not to politicians, but to specialists. Now if specialists say that these villages can be connected without damaging the physical processes of electricity flow – no problem. Please invest, connect to pipes, wires, provide, I will not object. We will not create obstacles either, if it is technically possible. Therefore, I still advise not politicians to speak, but specialists in this part. We have working groups in the "5 + 2" format. Let the technicians, engineers who understand this meet. Politicians should not get involved. I am not getting involved. Pay attention, I do not advise anyone to do so. This is just PR. These are just political statements that have nothing at their core except the desire to make a statement. If the Moldovan side wants to provide these 12 villages with their own energy resources, please contact the working group that should work in the field of energy and industry. State your desires. Let our specialists look, work on it, and draw up a project. Switching is not just happening for no reason. No one objects.
Yulia Gorlova, "Sputnik" News Agency:
Vadim Nikolaevich, what about the electricity bills? Will the limits be revised in some way or maybe the total payments will be divided into parts so that it won't be so hard for people to pay? Because everyone has a high electricity consumption now, of course.
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
Yes, the Government is working on this. Of course, we will make decisions to ease this financial burden on people. They not only used electricity in an increased mode, they also purchased these electrical appliances. This is also a burden on people. Of course, we gave out many electrical appliances free of charge, provided other sources, but people purchased it. They spent money. Although this is, in principle, normal – let it be for the future. This is a question for the Government, we will work on it.
Alexander Lagutin, RIA News:
Vadim Nikolaevich, a question about the Moldavian Metallurgical Plant. We understand that it is currently idle and there is practically no way to start it up. What will happen to the workforce, will this enterprise receive any state support?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
The Moldavian Metallurgical Plant has had problems before, periodically. It was idle at one time, then it worked effectively. I am convinced that our Moldavian Metallurgical Plant (Rybnitsa) has good prospects for future work. Of course, we will preserve both the teams and the enterprises. There will be some problems now, but we hope to resolve it.
Veniamin Demidetsky, TASS News Agency:
Vadim Nikolaevich, please tell, if the end of the energy crisis is already in sight, have the losses from it been assessed in any way, will the enterprises be able to restart, what about the budget, are there any assessments?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
We are currently seeing a decline in production in industry, in the agricultural sector, a decline in export-import operations, this is clear. We have more problems not because of the lack of gas in fact, as far as the economy is concerned today, but because of the actions of the Moldovan authorities to limit foreign economic activity. Moldova causes us much more damage than this entire energy crisis. This is true. This is not a distortion of the situation. They began to block the work of our economic agents in 2019, close bank accounts in Moldova for our enterprises, block our banking system, exclude settlements in foreign currency, settle with us in non-cash lei and not convert it, of course, and so on. That is, there are a lot of problems. A lot of problems are created at the border for our entrepreneurs, who were forced to stand idle there for a month or two during customs clearance. These duties are also unjustified. This whole complex must be resolved. This is the economic blockade of Pridnestrovie. Of course, the energy crisis is more visible against the background of all these problems, but imagine that these problems have existed since June 2019. They have a very strong impact on the economy, on our development. This is a problem for our entrepreneurs. The energy crisis will be resolved, I have no doubt about it, but those problems will remain. I am just proposing to Mrs. President Maia Sandu to meet and discuss these problems, to answer questions. Why don’t you, I mean your banks, open accounts for our enterprises that are registered in Moldova? Why are you blocking our banking system? Why are you charging unjustified duties on our businesses? I would very much like to get answers to these questions. Probably, there are no answers, and there is a fear of meetings. By the way, these questions are public. Whoever comes, whatever ambassadors of which countries come, whatever political meetings I hold – these questions are raised. There was a visit by the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, the Finnish Foreign Minister Recently. I also raised these questions, but unfortunately there were no answers. This is a direct economic blockade of Pridnestrovie, which is aggravated by the energy crisis. The absence of a negotiation process, naturally, only worsens the current situation. A way out of it must be found. Which is what I always suggest.
Dmitry Matveyev, Tsargrad TV:
You have already said that Pridnestrovie has indeed found itself in a very difficult situation, especially after refusing to engage in dialogue in the 5+2 format. It seems that these are real, systematic actions by Chisinau to solve its political problems related to the possibility of achieving political capitulation of Pridnestrovie. Moldova may have a certain plan that it is following. Is Pridnestrovie acting more situationally, or is there also some plan that may allow it to radically solve the problem in the future, so as to avoid situations like the ones we are currently facing in the energy sector?
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky:
Pridnestrovie is acting pragmatically and systematically. This is evident from our statements by the way. We never contradict ourselves. I can repeat today what I said 5 years ago. What I say today, I will say tomorrow. We have the Constitution of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, we have the people of Pridnestrovie, we have our referendums that we have held. The people of Pridnestrovie are the bearers of sovereignty. There is an understanding of the current situation. There is the Pridnestrovian people, who have the right to self-determination in accordance with all current international norms if they exist today, of course. This is true. Reintegration? Well. Where to reintegrate? Who will answer the question? There are three possible forms of a neighboring state today. Moldova is independent, sovereign, non-aligned, and so on. This is one Moldova. Moldova in the European Union is already another Moldova or Moldova in Romania, this is the third Moldova. Who will answer the question, which Moldova are we being invited to? They themselves do not know – that is the problem. First decide on your home, your internal economy, your desires. Resolve the issues with your people so that they accept your choice, your political choice and then make a statement. There is a folder. So, Moldova, figuratively speaking, walks around with this folder that says "Reintegration". You open it, and it's empty. They don't offer anything. They don't know what to offer, really. So, gentlemen, you need to decide for yourselves. Take care of yourselves. There are many unresolved issues there, society is tense there. For example, the energy crisis. People are tense, of course, they are cold, they need to survive, but our society, the Pridnestrovian people, they are completely different. With a different character, with a different ability to survive in the most difficult conditions. There is no such discord here in Pridnestrovie. You don't have a crisis in Moldova, but people are tense. Not everything is so simple between the government and the people. This is what needs to be done. You need to do it. Reduce this degree of tension. Understand the people – what they want. Find compromises. Work on proposals then. We are ready for dialogue, 100% ready for dialogue. The Moldovan side must make this possible and start this business. How can we negotiate without contacts? The format does not work, there is no direct dialogue. How? This is all fiction, in fact. That is why we are waiting. What I am telling you now, I am telling all international mediators. Unfortunately, only Russia and Pridnestrovie clearly stand for the resumption of the “5+2” negotiation format. All the others appeal to subjective circumstances, do not perceive them as a necessity and an opportunity today in my opinion. Nothing will work without this. There will be nothing without negotiations.
The energy crisis, the gas crisis as such, has spurred all the issues, and somewhere, perhaps, has exposed contradictions, of course. They started talking about escalation and so on. I would like to address all friends, foes, and observers once again. Pridnestrovie will not be a source of escalation of the conflict. That is my word. Provocations in this area are unacceptable. It is unacceptable to use our problems to aggravate the situation. I am convinced that common sense will prevail. I am convinced that the President of the neighboring state, Moldova, should have full information. I saw this problem at yesterday's press conference. The person simply does not have information. So that they can see our honesty and how we really work, as I have already said, please, there is a mediator – the OSCE mission, I urge you to visit our facilities in the near future and draw conclusions about the work of Pridnestrovie, the Operational Headquarters, all officials in the current situation. Maybe even take this experience into service for the future. I want to address people. I thank you for your understanding, for your endurance, for your patience. My dears, there is not much time left to endure. Everything will stabilize. Everything will be fine. Thank you.