The former Soviet republic cut off gas deliveries from Russia after Moscow's large-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 – but is still dependent on a gas power plant in the Kremlin-loyal breakaway region of Transnistria.
The electricity supply from there is now threatened since Ukraine announced that the country will not renew the contract for transporting Russian gas to Europe, which expires at the turn of the year.
According to Moldova's Prime Minister Dorin Recean, Moscow could use alternative transport routes for the gas and thus continue to deliver gas to Transnistria – which does not appear to be planned at present.
Russia is holding the inhabitants of Transnistria hostage and using them to destabilize Moldova and the region, he says.
