The potential acceptance by Transnistria of proposals from Ukraine and Moldova for assistance could hinder Moscow's anti-European policies, experts from the "Institute for the Study of War" (ISW) write in their analytical report dated January 25.
ISW cites the words of the President of Ukraine during a joint press conference with the President of Moldova on Saturday in Kyiv, stating that cooperation between Transnistria, Moldova, and Ukraine could reduce electricity prices across Moldova by 30 percent.
"Ukrainian and Moldovan officials noted that Russia is attempting to use its gas crisis to influence public opinion in Moldova ahead of the parliamentary elections in Moldova scheduled for summer 2025," the ISW report states.
Until now, the Transnistrian authorities have rejected cooperation with Moldova and Ukraine, as the Russian Federation has been supplying sufficient gas to the separatist republic to meet its internal energy needs through various schemes.
"The possible acceptance by Transnistria of proposals for assistance from Ukraine and Moldova, along with the continued supply of inexpensive electricity from Transnistria to the rest of Moldova, would obstruct Russia's attempts to leverage the energy crisis to increase Transnistria's economic dependency on Moscow, portray Russia as a savior and benefactor of the separatist republic, and utilize Chișinău’s shift to more expensive European electricity as part of Moscow's anti-European agenda," the ISW experts conclude.
Source: https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-january-25-2025