Since the end of Russian gas deliveries to Moldova, Valera Alexandru Sava has only heated the ground floor of his house and it is not uncommon for him to keep inside hat and coat. Like other inhabitants, he does not want a more expensive energy from Europe and is only in a hurry: that Moscow reopens the tap.
His village of Cocieri is under the control of the Moldovan authorities while being enclosed in transdniacies, a separatist territory where Russian troops still park more than three decades after the fall of the USSR.
If the rest of Moldova has freed Russian gas since the start of the conflict in neighboring Ukraine, on this side of the Dniesr river, we continue to be supplied by the giant Gazprom.
At least until the group stops deliveries in early January in the name of a financial dispute. The pro-European president Maia Sandu denounces a new maneuver for destabilization of Moscow before the legislative elections provided for in the fall.
Energy distribution from the Soviet era
Since then, the veteran of war veteran has emerged the old stove and lights it before his wife returned from his work to the local crèche.
“Fortunately we still have wood”he said to AFP, about 900 households no longer having enough to feed their device.
Like Cocali, a dozen Moldovan municipalities are directly connected to the transdniacs networks and also suffer from heating cuts.
While this self -proclaimed republic, which shoves, asked Moldova on Monday to sell it gas, Mr. Sava fears an explosion of invoices.
And brandishes as proof those that his daughter pays, living in the capital Chisinau and receiving non -Russian gas: for a small apartment, she spends seven times more than him.
For Oleg Serebrian, Deputy Prime Minister responsible for the reintegration of transdniacies, he is “regrettable” that these old energy distribution schemes still last inherited from the Soviet era.
The government is committed to connecting all the villages concerned to the Moldovan infrastructure but the task is not simple.
“It’s a huge investment. Technically, it’s a bit complicated and expensive”testifies Ivan Mitcul, secretary of the town hall of Cocieri, by evoking a pipeline which would cross the Dniestr.
-“The situation is critical, we can no longer lead a normal life,” he worries.
“Stone Age”
On the other bank of the DNIESTR, the locality of Copanca lives long hours in the dark for lack of electricity produced by the gas power plant located in transdniacies. But when the backhoes landed to start connection work in the rest of Moldova, the population protested. “We don’t want your help!”launched dozens of inhabitants.
They had reserved in mid-January a little cordial welcome in Maia Sandu, on site. “Leave us quiet”had they shouted, saying to refuse prices “Europeans” higher.
Faced with the interruption of gas deliveries, Chisinau turned to neighboring Romania which now provides it with electricity, with the consequence of a quasi-meat for households.
The Serebrian Pointe ministers “An external influence”demonstrations “Orchestrated to sow confusion, chaos, harm once again like the Moldovan Government”. And beyond, to destabilize the regional context before possible “Peace discussions in Ukraine”.
Allegations rejected by Moscow, which is offended by “Propaganda attacks” against him.
“Both camps are to blame, none want to bend the spine”reacts Sergiu Sava, 55, security officer of a Cocieri bank. “Better to be without gas and light than to be at war. We will get out of it”he adds in a philosopher tone.
In the meantime, you have to take your pain in patience. In Varnita, passers -by move lamp in hand and many shops are plunged into darkness.
Valentina Gora, 65, sells eggs and bread to customers to the glow of her phone. “It looks like the Stone Age. Yes, we want join Europe But not under these conditions “she sighs, tired of seeing her country constantly torn between the West and Russia.
“I don’t care what camp will resolve the crisis, but you have to find a solution.”
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