Deputy Prime Minister: Moldova preparing case file through which it will request compensation from Russian Federation for damage to energy infrastructure and pollution of Dniester River

The Republic of Moldova is preparing the case file to request compensation for the damage caused to its energy infrastructure and for the pollution of the Dniester River. Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mihai Popșoi made the statements today.

According to the official, the authorities are in the final stage of assessing the damage and documenting the case, after which the file will be submitted to the Russian Federation.

“We must complete the assessment of the damage caused by the attacks on our energy infrastructure, as well as on the Dniester River. It is our responsibility to prepare this file and send it to the Russian side, in the hope that there will be a favorable international context in which these compensations can be paid,” Popșoi told a TV show.

The minister acknowledged that the Republic of Moldova has limited possibilities to influence the Russian Federation, but stressed that the initiative is necessary from both a legal and moral standpoint.

“Our capacity to influence a state such as the Russian Federation is limited, we have to be honest. But it is our responsibility, as a state and as citizens, to undertake all legal steps to defend our rights and interests, in accordance with international law,” the head of diplomacy underlined.

He also referred to the broader context of relations with the Russian Federation, marked by violations of international norms.

“To the extent that the Russian Federation will choose to respect these rights, this depends on its position and principles in relation to international law. Unfortunately, we are witnessing flagrant violations of the UN Charter and the Helsinki principles, including in the context of the war in Ukraine, as well as in relations with the Republic of Moldova, from the illegal presence of troops and ammunition to the embargoes imposed over time,” Popșoi noted.

Referring to the value of the damages, the official specified that there are preliminary estimates in the energy sector, but full assessments are still underway.

“In the case of the energy sector, amounts on the order of millions of lei have been mentioned, but these figures need to be verified. As for the pollution of the Dniester River, the calculations are still in progress,” the minister said.

At the same time, Popșoi drew attention to the long-term environmental impact of the pollution.

“The impact does not disappear immediately and will not disappear tomorrow. Even if, in some cases, the effects are more limited, the consequences will remain for years. The ecosystem has been severely affected, both fauna and flora, including what has accumulated in the riverbed and what has been carried downstream,” he concluded.

The head of diplomacy in Chișinău said that the case file will be completed and sent, even though the actual recovery of compensation will depend on international developments.