Moldovan president in Kyiv for crucial talks on energy, European integration

Moldovan President Maia Sandu has arrived in Kyiv for a working visit, where she will engage in discussions with her Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy on key issues related to energy, security, trade, and European integration.

In a video message from a train en route to Kyiv, Sandu stated, "My colleagues and I will soon arrive in Kyiv on a working visit at the invitation of President Zelenskyy. We will discuss security, energy, trade, roads, bridges, and how we can assist each other on our path to European integration," Caliber.Az reports citing Russian media.

Sandu also reaffirmed Moldova’s continued support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia. Her visit comes at a critical time, as Moldova faces significant energy challenges due to disruptions in gas supplies. Gazprom, Russia's state-controlled gas company, halted gas deliveries to Moldova in early January, citing a ban on transit through Ukraine and Chisinau's refusal to settle its fuel debts.

As a result, the Moldavskaya GRES power plant, which previously supplied electricity to both Moldova and the unrecognized breakaway region of Transnistria, has been switched to coal. Currently, it only serves the left bank of the Dniester River, while Moldova has been forced to import more expensive electricity from Romania. However, coal reserves at the power plant are expected to last only until the end of January or mid-February, presenting a looming energy crisis.

Transnistria, which lacks alternative gas sources, has been hit particularly hard by the energy shortage. To conserve resources, the region has shut down industrial enterprises, cut off central heating, and imposed power outages. The suspension of hot water supply to residential areas further highlights the dire situation facing the region.

By Vafa Guliyeva