**Moldova Faces Security Crisis After Russian Gas Cut Off**
The Prime Minister of Moldova, Dorin Recean, has declared a “security crisis” in the country after Russia’s state energy company Gazprom cut off gas supplies to Moldova on January 1.
This decision has caused widespread power outages in the Russian-occupied breakaway region of Transnistria. The region is now at risk of industrial collapse due to the lack of electricity.
Recean accused Russia of trying to destabilize Moldova and said that this move shows that Russia will betray its allies. He also claimed that Russia’s goal is to bring Moldova under its control and use it as a base against Ukraine, with whom Moldova shares a 1,200-km border.
**Transnistria in Crisis**
Gazprom’s suspension of gas supplies has left nearly 75,000 households without gas and another 116,000 with reduced supply. The region has initiated rolling blackouts to mitigate the crisis.
Moldova offered to help Transnistria purchase alternative energy sources through European platforms, but the region refused, believing that Gazprom would resume deliveries.
**Russia’s Motives**
Recean accused Russia of trying to destabilize Moldova and said that this move shows that Russia will betray its allies. He also claimed that Russia’s goal is to bring Moldova under its control and use it as a base against Ukraine.
Meanwhile, outgoing US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the Financial Times that he believes China may have urged Russia not to take action in Moldova.
**Protests in Slovakia**
In related news, around 4,000 people assembled in Bratislava on January 3 to protest Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico‘s pro-Russian policies.
**Ukraine Updates**
The attack targeted a residential area on the outskirts of Chernihiv, causing significant damage to multiple apartment buildings. Ukraine exported 78.3 million tons of products in 2024, including grains and sunflower seeds critical to markets across Africa and Asia.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com