Russia is ready to find “a long-term solution” to the energy crisis in Moldova’s separatist Transnistria region, but this would be possible only after the resumption of the 5+2 negotiations on the settlement of the frozen conflict, Kremlin’s ambassador to Chisinau Oleg Ozerov told Ria Novosti. 

The 5+2 negotiations, involving Russia, Ukraine and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), besides the EU and US as observers, were de facto frozen after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and the pro-EU authorities in Chisinau are unlikely to resume the same format.

In the meantime, Transnistria is refusing the sole sustainable long-term solution to its energy crisis: accepting market energy prices, streamlining its companies and giving up the economic benefits absorbed by corrupt authorities controlled by Sheriff holding, which has captured the benefits of Russian support for the past three decades instead of building up a functioning economy.

Ozerov’s comments indicate that a new energy crisis in Transnistria, similar to the one in January this year, is most likely envisaged by Russia as a scenario to be used if the pro-EU authorities in Chisinau remain in office after the September parliamentary elections. 

"So far, the solutions that have been found are working. By winter, the situation may worsen again … And, of course, this will require an increase in gas supplies," Ozerov warned.

Ozerov accused the government in Chisinau of hindering “a long-term solution”, but gave no hint as to what might be a long-term solution to the problem. It is not hard to imagine the nature of the solution suggested, though: Moldova should abandon the EU accession talks and become an ally of Russia, including by providing logistical support for the war in Ukraine.

At this moment, Russia provides Transnistria with just enough financial support to purchase limited amounts of natural gas from the European market under a mechanism separate from that operated by Moldova’s state-owned energy trader Energocom. But the money is only enough to cover residential use and to produce electricity for households, while Transnistria’s energy-intensive industries remain largely idle. This causes significant fiscal constraints to the separatist authorities that face problems in paying wages and pensions.

Car fuel distributor Metan Avto suspended the supply of compressed natural gas largely used by automobiles in the region as of June 6, according to MoldStreet. The fuel is provided only to the military, sanitary and other special vehicles used by the authorities.

President of Transnistria Vadim Krasnoselsky commented on the situation with gas supplies on his Telegram channel on June 6, admitting that “the situation in the energy sector is precarious”. 

"Yes, with the assistance of the Russian Federation, we receive gas. Moldova is not currently interfering with supplies in any way. But the agreements are short-term. Technical formalities each time require time and significant effort from a large number of participants. We have to save resources so as not to fall into a deep energy crisis again. We are making every effort to prevent it from happening again," Krasnoselsky wrote on his Telegram channel, according to NovostiPMR.

Transnistria intends to extend the state of emergency in the economy until the situation with gas supplies is normalised, chairman of the Supreme Council of the PMR Alexander Korshunov told Russian daily Izvestia, quoted by NovostiPMR.

Despite the end of the heating season, the energy situation in Transnistria is still unstable, there is not enough natural gas to resume the work of industrial enterprises, added Korshunov.

However, the leadership of Transnistria maintains salaries, pensions and benefits for residents while cutting financing for investments, he added.