EU supports Moldova in reducing Russian energy dependency
On the right bank of the Dniester, European aid will reach all citizens, including in the form of compensation for electricity tariffs by the end of the year.
“We will cover tariff increases,” assured Minister Alexei Buzu. People welcomed this decision, although the exact mechanism through which EU funds will be distributed has not yet been announced. In just one week, the European Union provided Moldova with financial assistance equivalent to what is usually allocated over four years: 250 million euros. Experts warn that the funds must be managed "responsibly," while Ursula von der Leyen sent a clear message: Brussels will support Moldova’s integration into the European energy market to eliminate dependence on Russia. "Moscow uses energy as a tool for blackmail, as it did in its relationship with the European Union," wrote the President of the European Commission on X.
The energy crisis is also forcing changes on the left bank of the Dniester. The unrecognized regime in Tiraspol has decided to maintain a state of emergency in the economy and, surprisingly, to annul the 2018 "law" allowing the development of blockchain technologies. The reason? Without cheap or free gas from Russia, cryptocurrency farms in the region can no longer function. Investigative journalist Ilie Gulca believes, however, that this measure could be temporary. The future of cryptocurrency farms in the region now depends on one thing: whether the region will receive preferential gas prices or not.
Meanwhile, Energocom announced that it has delivered over 17 million cubic meters of European natural gas to the left bank of the Dniester in the first week of February. After a long silence, the so-called leader of Tiraspol, Vadim Krasnoselski, thanked Chișinău for the aid. However, the question remained: are these volumes used for humanitarian purposes or redirected to other interests? Experts say that Chișinău has leverage to control the situation and even halt deliveries if abuses are confirmed. In fact, constitutional authorities visited, for the first time, industrial sites on the left bank of the Dniester this week.
European and Romanian support helps Moldova reduce dependence on Russian energy, according to the Moldovan ambassador to Bucharest. However, an analysis by the “Expert-Grup” Center shows that the acute dependence on imported energy remains the country’s main economic vulnerability.
Let’s look at the glass half full. The energy crises Moldova has faced since 2022 have led many Moldovans to adopt energy efficiency measures to mitigate the impact of high bills. This week, we discovered the story of Vladimir Ursu. With the help of the European Union, he installed a solar collector that produces thermal energy, and now he enjoys low energy bills.
The good news doesn’t stop here! After more than three decades of absence, the public TV station Moldova 1 has returned to homes on the left bank of the Dniester. The decision was welcomed both by the authorities in Chișinău and by the leadership of the “Teleradio-Moldova” Company, who believe this development “contributes to strengthening the ties between the inhabitants of both banks of the Dniester, facilitating access to truthful information and a variety of media content.” The resumption of Moldova 1 broadcasts in the districts of eastern Moldova, after such a long time, is a significant achievement that "shows that there is hope for the country's reintegration," said deputy Roman Roșca.
This past week was full of political "surprises" as well. The Central Electoral Commission called for the dissolution of the “Chance” Party, affiliated with the fugitive oligarch Ilan Șor, and five years after fleeing the country, Vladimir Plahotniuc was officially placed on Interpol’s wanted list. Amid these developments, a statement by President Maia Sandu – claiming that vetting had been paused due to the U.S. president’s decision to suspend external funding – sparked controversy. While the head of state insists that Chișinău is seeking solutions for EU funding to assess prosecutors and judges, the Ministry of Justice and the Vetting Commission have rejected these claims, stating that the process continues uninterrupted.
In the capital, disputes between Mayor Ion Ceban and ruling party representatives continued this week. The capital’s mayor rejected the City Council’s decision to annul the sanitation fee and threatened legal action. Meanwhile, the approval of the municipal budget for 2025 is delayed, and city councilors accuse each other of blocking it. In the midst of these disagreements, capital residents may face a rise in water tariffs due to increased electricity prices. Additionally, vehicles parked illegally will only be towed if they cause blockages.
Two shocking cases have captured public attention these days: a young man died suddenly while being questioned by the police as a witness, and another Moldovan citizen was allegedly kidnapped in broad daylight from the capital by self-proclaimed police officers from the Transnistrian region. Amid these tragedies, the case of the businesswoman who lost her life during a cosmetic procedure at an unlicensed beauty salon remains in the media spotlight. The victim’s husband and lawyer made heartbreaking statements and called for justice at a press conference, while the head of the General Police Inspectorate, Viorel Cernăuțeanu, reconstructed the tragedy in an interview for Teleradio-Moldova. Meanwhile, the anesthesiologist involved in the death of the 35-year-old businesswoman was arrested a week after the tragedy, and authorities promise to continue the investigation.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
