Transnistria actively searches for ways to restore gas supplies - ISW

The authorities of Russia and Transnistria recently discussed the possibility of Russia purchasing gas on the European spot market through Moldova's gas company Natural Gaz DC between January and April 2025. However, on January 16, Moldova's Prime Minister Dorin Recean noted that only the company Moldovagaz has the authority to supply gas to the unrecognized Republic.

At the same time, the president of PMR Vadim Krasnoselsky stated that Moldovagaz would allow Gazprom to supply gas to Transnistria, likely from Europe. This scenario is possible although, in early January 2025, he rejected offers from Moldovagaz to help Transnistria receive gas from European platforms.

Krasnoselsky claimed that Transnistria could guarantee payment - likely referring to a recent proposal by Moscow to use Russian budget funds to purchase European gas for internal consumption in Transnistria.

The PMR president also stated that the Transnistrian gas company Tiraspoltransgaz sent a letter to Moldovagaz on January 18 requesting information on the gas supply procedure to Transnistria.

However, on January 20, Moldova's President Maia Sandu responded that Krasnoselsky's proposal does not concern Transnistria's purchase of gas through Moldovagaz. According to her, he suggests that someone else purchase the gas and deliver it to Moldova, after which Moldovagaz would transport it across the country to Transnistria.

"Sandu stated that Moldovan authorities are currently determining which companies would be involved in this process, since Moldovagaz can only work with companies that do not violate Moldovan law or international sanction," the Institute for the Study of War reports.

Cessation of gas supplies to Transnistria

Starting January 1, 2025, Ukraine decided not to extend the contract for the transit of Russian gas to Moldova and EU countries, completely halting the flow of blue fuel.

Since then, the unrecognized Transnistria has been suffering from a heating and hot water shortage, with power supply interruptions also reported in the region.

The coal reserves in the unrecognized republic are sufficient only until the end of January.

Recently, Krasnoselsky visited Moscow and, following the visit, did not rule out that Russia would soon provide gas to the region under the status of humanitarian aid. However, he did not specify when and how this would occur.

In December, the Moldovan government suggested that Transnistria purchase fuel at its own expense, but the authorities in Transnistria refused.