Additional Coverage:
Transnistria Faces Heating Cuts Amid Russian Gas Halt
Transnistria, a breakaway region in Moldova, is facing severe heating cuts due to the suspension of Russian natural gas supplies to Europe via Ukraine. The halt in supplies follows Ukraine’s decision to end a transit agreement with Russia.
Emergency Declared
Transnistria has declared a 30-day economic emergency and warned residents of heating and hot water outages starting Wednesday. Hospitals and essential services remain unaffected for now.
Temperature Concerns
Residents are advised to stay warm as temperatures in the capital, Tiraspol, could drop to 23 degrees Fahrenheit. The energy company has urged people to use electric heaters sparingly and to dress warmly.
Geopolitical Impact
The gas halt highlights the geopolitical risks associated with Europe’s reliance on Russian energy. While many EU countries have reduced their dependence on Russian gas, some, like Slovakia and the Czech Republic, still rely on it.
Slovakia’s Dilemma
Slovakia, which earns significant revenue from Russian gas transit fees, has appealed to the EU for help in securing alternative gas sources. The country faces higher costs and potential economic losses if Russian gas supplies are permanently cut off.