Moldova’s national security advisor, Stanislav Secrieru, has accused Russia of using its energy exports as a weapon to deliberately destabilize the country. In an interview with POLITICO, Secrieru claimed that Moscow is aiming to undermine Moldova economically and socially, weaken its pro-reform government ahead of the 2025 elections, and fuel demand for the return of pro-Russian forces to power.
Secrieru emphasized that Moldova, a staunch ally of Ukraine since Russia’s invasion and now an EU candidate country, is not dealing with a standard energy crisis. Instead, he described the situation as a “deliberately induced security crisis” aimed at influencing the political landscape prior to the parliamentary elections scheduled for 2025.
Pro-European President Maia Sandu and her government are grappling with increasing challenges, particularly after the country narrowly approved its EU referendum despite alleged Russian interference. Sandu, who previously extended humanitarian aid to the breakaway region of Transnistria, noted that local leaders have rejected those overtures.
A critical obstacle to Moldova’s efforts to join the European Union remains the separatist region of Transnistria, where over 1,000 Russian troops are currently stationed. For decades, Transnistria has benefited from preferential treatment from Moscow, including free access to gas, enabling the region to sell electricity back to the rest of Moldova. This arrangement has funded salaries and pensions within Transnistria, complicating integration efforts.
Moldova’s strategy to sever its reliance on Russian gas could have profound implications for the region’s status. As Moldovan officials told POLITICO last year, such a shift “could spell the end of Transnistria’s de facto independence.” Former Energy Minister Victor Parlicov explained that Moldova continues to purchase electricity from Transnistria not out of necessity, but to avoid triggering a severe humanitarian crisis in the region.
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