Ukraine is ready to help Transnistria – Zelensky

This was stated in an address to the nation by President Vodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.

Last week there, Zelensky spoke with his Mdovan counterpart Maia Sandu, discussing ways to overcome the humanitarian crisis in Transnistria.

“Due to deliberate actions by Russia, there is an energy resource vacuum there. Pele are suffering. This is a calculated move by Russia to undermine public sentiment in Mdova ahead of the elections,” Zelensky stressed.

Read also: Termination of Russian gas transit one of Moscow's biggest defeats – Zelensky

He noted that Ukraine could help with coal supplies. However, he has not yet seen a response from those who “effectively contr” the situation on the left bank of the Dniester.

“If they are playing into Russia’s hands, that’s one thing; it’s entirely different if they genuinely want to help the pele of Transnistria. On our part, we are ready,” the Ukrainian president assured.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, Gazprom announced on December 28 it would st supplying gas to Mdova due to alleged debts from Mdovagaz. Gazprom estimated Mdova's debt at $709 million, but Chisinau recognizes only $8.6 million while the rest of the debt is for gas consumed by Transnistria.

Read also: Heat, hot water supplies shut off in Transnistria amid Russian gas delivery cut

On December 16, Mdova introduced an emergency energy protoc. On December 31, the Ministry of Energy reported that in January 2025, Mdova will import most of its electricity from neighboring Romania, and 30% will be provided by local CHP plants.

The so-called authorities in Transnistria have also introduced a state of emergency. After the gas supply was cut off on January 1, central heating in settlements was suspended, and gas supplies would only be enough for cooking purposes. According to the Transnistrian authorities, gas reserves should last for 20 days. The Mdovan power plant switched to coal-fired electricity generation on January 1.

On January 3, the Transnistrian region introduced rling blackouts. On January 4, the Mdavian Metallurgical Plant suspended erations, and the bread factory in Rybnitsa, which produced nearly 2 tons of bread per day, also shut down.

In unrecognized Transnistria, on January 10, economic emergency was extended for another 30 days. The president of the self-proclaimed Transnistria, Vadim Krasnoselsky, explained this step at the time by “the risk of cessation of Russian gas supplies,” which occurred later, on January 1, 2025.

Photo: President’s Office