OPINIONS // Bucharest expert on situation in Moldova

What is happening now in the Republic of Moldova is not a real energy crisis, for reasons related to energy, resources, routes, or what is or isn't written in the contract. It's war, even if bullets aren't flying. It's an information war. Romania's energy and infrastructure policy analyst Ana Otilia Nuțu made the statement.

She said that regardless of the actions taken by Chișinău, they are interpreted and presented in a negative light and turned against decision-makers.

"If Parlicov went to St. Petersburg, terrible, we have nothing to discuss with the aggressor. If he didn't go, horrible, refuses to discuss, leaves Transnistrians to die, and gives right-bank Moldovans more expensive energy.

If Krasnoselski flies through Chișinău, why wasn't he stopped and arrested. If he was stopped, terrible, Chișinău wants to refuse people in the Transnistrian region a chance to get 'humanitarian aid.'

If Chișinău/Kiev offers the Transnistrian region humanitarian aid, horror, we support separatism and an authoritarian regime, a potential aggressor threatening Ukraine. 

If they provide gas for the Transnistrian region (with no electricity for the right bank), Russia is the savior, see how well the Transnistrians are doing with the Russians compared to the right bank that wants to join the EU. If they don't give any gas, wave of refugees, 350,000 people fleeing cold and hunger. Due to Chișinău's fault, which doesn't know how to negotiate, and Kiev's fault, which stopped the transit," the expert said.

Ana Otilia Nuțu said that no matter how Chișinău authorities proceed, "there is no ideal option that cannot be turned in the desired direction by Kremlin spin doctors." "And I would really like to see that 'communicator' genius who would be able to 'better communicate' these things to the people, as if the world listens to fact-checking lessons and as if that was ever proven to be the correct and efficient response to Russian propaganda. It was seen during Maia Sandu's visit a few days ago how well it works and how people suddenly see the light, right?", wrote Ana Otilia Nuțu.

She noted that people should understand that this is not a real energy crisis, but "it is war, even if bullets aren't flying, it's information war."

Moldovan President Maia Sandu said earlier this week after the meeting of the Supreme Security Council that the aim of this humanitarian crisis, provoked by Kremlin on the left bank is to generate a political crisis on the right bank and escalate the situation. "What is happening now is also a form of pressure coming from Kremlin on the regime in Tiraspol to be more cooperative in Kremlin's actions aimed at destabilizing the situation in the Republic of Moldova," Maia Sandu said.

Prime Minister Dorin Recean said yesterday that Kremlin regime has held the people on the left bank of the Dniester River hostage, mercilessly, in cold and darkness, because it wants to bring to power "pro-Russian groups that will bring our country into conflict and destabilize public order".