Transnistria Rejects EU-backed Energy Aid

Transnistrian authorities rejected €60 million in EU-backed energy aid under Russian pressure, Moldova's government announced, according to Moldova1's February 10 report, Orda reports.

Moldova began delivering EU-funded gas to Transnistria on February 1 through a €30 million emergency package expiring Monday. The EU offered an additional €60 million, conditional on Transnistria improving human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as gradually raising consumer utility rates.

Moldova's Prime Minister Dorin Recean said Tiraspol declined the assistance due to its attached conditions, citing Russian influence on the decision.

According to Recean, Transnistria chose an "unpredictable" deal where Moldova would permit gas transit in exchange for limited concessions, including freeing political prisoners and allowing Moldovan TV broadcasts.

However, previous reports indicate pricing as another culprit.

The Russian-controlled region faces severe energy shortages after Gazprom stopped gas supplies in January, coinciding with Ukraine ending Russian gas transit.

Gazprom blamed the cutoff on alleged unpaid debt from Chisinau rather than transit issues.

Chisinau will continue supplying gas to the region through an agreement with Hungary's MET Gas and Energy Marketing AG, backed by Dubai's JNX General Trading.

In EU accession talks, Moldova has shifted toward European supplies but still relies on electricity from Transnistria's Kuciurgan power plant, which operates on Russian gas.