BRUSSELS — On Tuesday, the European Union and Moldova finalized an energy security agreement designed to reduce Moldova’s reliance on Russian energy and to better align the country with the EU’s energy infrastructure.

The European Commission, the EU’s executive body, announced that Moldova is set to receive 250 million euros (approximately $258 million) in aid this year, with 40% of that amount arriving by mid-April. This decision follows a significant reduction in energy supplies from Russia’s state-run company, Gazprom, which ceased deliveries on January 1st.

The disruption in energy supply has resulted in daily power outages, particularly affecting the pro-Russian separatist region of Transnistria, where many residents were left without heating and hot water last month due to a reported outstanding bill of $709 million owed for past energy supplies.

Gazprom’s decision was implemented just a day after a gas transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine expired, which led to the cessation of gas supplies to the Kuciurgan power station—the largest power plant in Moldova that is powered by natural gas. This plant had previously been a crucial source of electricity for the country.

According to the Commission, the financial aid package aims to ease the burden on consumers in Moldova, who are candidates for EU membership, by helping them cover increasing electricity costs. About 60 million euros (around $62 million) from the package is specifically allocated to assist the 350,000 residents in Transnistria who have been left without adequate heating.

Moldova, which has a population of approximately 2.5 million and is a former Soviet republic, found itself entirely reliant on Russian natural gas after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, the country has since made significant efforts to diversify and enhance its energy resources. This conflict has also prompted the EU to seek alternatives to its dependence on Russian energy imports.

Furthermore, Moldova continues to face pressure from Russia to reverse its recent pro-Western trajectory.

Transnistria, which declared independence from Moldova following a brief conflict in 1992, remains largely unrecognized by the international community.