Transnistria is a region located between Moldova and Ukraine in Eastern Europe that is not recognized internationally. Officially known as the “Pridnestrovskaia Moldavskaia Respublika (PMR),” the region unilaterally declared its independence from Moldova in 1990. However, it has not been officially recognized by any United Nations (UN) member state to date.
Historically speaking, the region, which was part of Romania until 1940, was integrated into the Soviet Union (USSR) in 1940 as part of the USSR’s expansion policy and continued to exist under the umbrella of the Moldovan Soviet Socialist Republic (Moldova SSR). With the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, Moldova assumed sovereignty, while the Russian-speaking population in Transnistria reacted against the possibility of Moldova uniting with Romania and demanded independence. This process led to a short but bloody war between Moldova and Transnistria in 1992, and by the end of the war, with Russia’s military support, Transnistria effectively maintained its independence.[1]
Transnistria, despite having its own constitution, government, army, currency (Transnistrian ruble), and three different passports, continues to be regarded by the international community as part of Moldova. The region, whose economy is largely dependent on Russia, receives financial support from Moscow and has Russian peacekeeping soldiers stationed there. The Moldavskaya GRES (MGRES) power plant, which is the cornerstone of Transnistria’s energy infrastructure, is a strategic facility that also supplies electricity to Moldova. However, as of 2024, a major energy crisis has erupted in the region.
Gazprom claims that Moldova has a debt of 709 million dollars. The Moldovan Government, however, states that this debt is only 8.6 million dollars based on an international audit report. Moldova has not been purchasing gas directly from Gazprom since 2022 and has been securing its gas supply from other European markets. However, the Transnistria region has continued to receive support from Russia despite not having made any payments to Gazprom since 2005. In this case, one of the main reasons for this crisis is Ukraine’s prior announcement that it would not allow Russian gas to transit through its territory.
Transnistria was receiving Russian gas through Ukraine. However, after Russia launched a war against Ukraine in 2022, the Kiev administration announced that it would not renew the transit agreement with Gazprom and implemented this decision as of January 1, 2024. The Moldovan Government has described Gazprom’s cessation of gas shipments as energy blackmail and argued that Moscow aims to politically destabilize Moldova with this move. Moldovan President Maia Sandu has claimed that Russia is using the energy crisis as a tool to influence the 2025 parliamentary elections. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky made a similar assessment, stating that Russia is trying to increase its influence over Moldova.[2]
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen used the following expressions in her statement on the matter:[3]
“In the middle of winter, more than 350,000 people living in Transnistria have been left without electricity and heating due to Russia’s decision to halt gas shipments. We cannot accept the deprivation of the most basic services for the people living on the European continent. However, difficult times reveal true friends. Today, we are extending a lifeline to the people of Transnistria. We will supply them with gas, and restore their electricity and heating.”
The EU has offered a 30 million euro emergency aid package to alleviate Moldova’s energy crisis. With this support, it is aimed to restart the electricity and heating systems in the Transnistria region, which has been under severe winter conditions following Gazprom’s cessation of gas supply. The EU aims to finance the supply of natural gas to Transnistria under this fund, targeting to meet the basic energy needs of over 350,000 people in the region until at least February 10, 2025.[4]
The EU is working on an additional financial support package to reduce the social impacts of the energy crisis across Moldova, in addition to supplying gas to Transnistria. This support aims to contribute to ensuring Moldova’s economic stability by enhancing its long-term energy resilience. The energy crisis between Moldova and Transnistria highlights how regional geopolitical dynamics and energy dependence can be used as a tool of pressure. While Moldova is trying to accelerate its integration process with the EU, Russia is using the energy crisis as a political tool and is trying to maintain its control over Transnistria.
[1] “Transdinyester Sorunu Bağlamında Rusya-Ukrayna Savaşı”, ANKASAM,,https://www.ankasam.org/anka-analizler/transdinyester-sorunu-baglaminda-rusya-ukrayna-savasi/ (Date Accession: 03.02.2025).
[2] “Securing Moldova’s Future as the Gas Runs Low”, Crisis Group, https://www.crisisgroup.org/europe-central-asia/eastern-europe/moldova/securing-moldovas-future-gas-runs-low, (Date Accession: 03.02.2025).
[3] “The EU offers emergency support to tackle the energy crisis in Moldova, European Commission, https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_329, (Date Accession: 03.02.2025).
[4] “Transnistria’s Energy Crisis Could Backfire on Moscow”, Carnegie, https://carnegieendowment.org/russia-eurasia/politika/2025/01/moldova-gas-crisis-solution?lang=en, (Date Accession: 03.02.2025).
