Moldova faces a security crisis after Moldova cut off transit of Russian gas through Ukraine on January 1, while the Polish presidency of the EU says the situation remains stable in other countries.

“The situation is stable in all (EU) member states that resort to winter stocks and imports from third countries ensuring a stable supply to consumers,” a spokesman for the Polish presidency said. “There has been no increase in the price of gas,” he added.

Meanwhile, Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Retsan spoke of a “security crisis for tens of thousands of residents of the breakaway enclave of Transnistria.”

He also said Moldova would meet its energy needs with domestic production and imports, but noted that the separatist region of Transnistria has suffered a painful blow despite its ties with Moscow.

“By jeopardizing the future of the protectorate it has supported for three decades in an attempt to destabilize Moldova, Russia is revealing the inevitable outcome for all its allies – betrayal and isolation,” Rechan said in a statement.

“We see this situation as a security crisis aimed at allowing pro-Russian forces to return to power in Moldova and arm our territory against Ukraine, with which we share a 1,200-kilometer border.”

Escalating gas prices in Europe

European gas prices reached the symbolic threshold of 50 euros per megawatt hour on Tuesday for the first time in more than a year and remained at that level today.

Regarding the more worrying situation in Moldova, the Polish presidency called on European Union countries to step up their support and coordination with the Chisinau authorities to avoid shortages.

Shipments of Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine were permanently halted on Wednesday after a contract signed between the two sides at the end of 2019 expired and remained in force after Russia invaded Ukraine.

The disruption affects a third of Russian gas exports to Europe and worries eastern European countries, notably Moldova, which is particularly vulnerable, and Slovakia, which is threatened with severe consequences.

‘No concern on gas deliveries’, says Commission

The European Commission and EU member states in central and eastern Europe discussed the situation at a meeting yesterday and will meet again on January 7 to assess the situation.

“There is no concern” regarding gas deliveries, the Commission said after the meeting.

Gas supply was boosted by imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The level of gas reserves in Europe reaches 72%, slightly higher than the average for this time of year, the Commission assured.

According to official data, Russian gas exports to Europe via Ukrainian territory amounted to just over 14 billion cubic meters per year.

Moldova in the spotlight after the war in Ukraine

This southeastern European country of about 2.5 million people is in the spotlight after Russia invades Ukraine at a time of rising tensions between Moscow and the West.

Its pro-European president Maya Sandu won a second term in last year’s election and has pledged to speed up reforms and strengthen democratisation.

Moldova plans to hold parliamentary elections this summer.

The mainly Russian-speaking region of Transnistria, which broke away from Moldova in the 1990s, used to receive Russian gas via Ukraine.

In turn, Moldova used to get most of its electricity from Transnistria, but with Kiev making it clear it would stop transiting gas from Russia, the government in Chisinau has prepared alternative arrangements, with a mix of domestic production and electricity imports from Romania, Rechan said.

The Moldovan prime minister said the Moldovan government remains committed to helping the enclave. “Alternative energy solutions such as biomass systems, generators, humanitarian aid, and basic medical supplies are ready for delivery in case the breakaway leadership accepts support,” the government said in a statement.

Transnistria’s pro-Russian leader Vadim Krasnoselsky said the region has gas reserves that could cover 10 days of limited use in the northern parts and twice that in the south.