MOSCOW, February 28. /TASS/. Moldova’s current leaders have been acting on directions from the West, and they could orchestrate another bout of tensions in the unrecognized republic of Transnistria if they are told, Igor Dodon, former Moldovan president, told TASS.

"The current government is anti-Russian. And, I think, if they and [Ukraine’s Vladimir] Zelensky receive orders to escalate tensions in Transnistria, they will do so," said Dodon, who is now leader of Moldova’s largest opposition Party of Socialists.

Commenting on last month’s problems with natural gas supplies, Dodon said Moldova had blocked humanitarian gas supplies from Russia since early January. "Therefore, discussing any breakthrough or progress in the negotiating process under the current government is impossible," he lamented. "[If] another government comes in later this year or if the regional political context in general changes, given the Ukraine issue is resolved, we will revisit this issue. <…> We must wait for a parliamentary election," he explained.

About gas supplies to Transnistria

After Ukraine halted the transit of Russian gas to Europe on January 1, and due to Chisinau’s refusal to settle its debt to Gazprom, both Moldova and Transnistria were left without gas supplies. Additionally, Tiraspol faced a complete gas blockade. Industrial plants in Transnistria were shut down, power outages were implemented, and residential buildings had no heating or hot water during sub-zero temperatures.

On February 14, the European energy company MET Group, which is Hungarian-owned, announced that it was beginning gas supplies to Moldova. Reports from Chisinau and Tiraspol indicated that these supplies ensured the fuel provision for Transnistria.

On the same day, Transnistrian President Vadim Krasnoselsky confirmed the delivery of the first batch of gas purchased with Russia’s backing to the unrecognized republic. The deliveries were made by a division of MET Group, MET Gas and Energy Marketing AG, which was to receive payment from JNX General Trading LLC in Dubai.

Subsequently, Transnistrian authorities reported that gas was being delivered to their region without interruption. They also emphasized that the fuel supplies were made possible with financial assistance from Russia.