Moldovan environment minister, Ukrainian Ambassador discuss Dniester River's pollution crisis

The cross-border pollution of the Dniester River, caused by Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, has been the subject of an emergency diplomatic meeting in Chisinau. Environment Minister Gheorghe Hajder met Ambassador of Ukraine to Moldova Paun Rohovei, in order to coordinate actions to contain the environmental crisis that threatens the water supply of millions of citizens.

The discussions focused on the serious consequences of the Russian Federation’s bombardments on the Novodnestrovsk energy complex, an incident that triggered discharges of polluting substances into the upper course of the Dniester.

Minister Gheorghe Hajder emphasized the critical nature of the situation, noting  that Dniester River is not only a natural resource, but also a national security pillar for both states.

“The Dniester provides water supply for over 80 per cent of Moldova’s population and is essential for the Ukrainian city of Odesa. Given this strategic importance, I reiterated the need for additional and immediate interventions on behalf of our Ukrainian partners, in order to definitively stop the spread of pollutants downstream,” Gheorghe Hajder said.

To avoid speculation and protect public health, Moldova requested the establishment of an official and permanent communication channel. The minister stressed that the information flow must be prompt, with real-time data being shared on any change in water quality; official, through the regular provision of laboratory reports by the Ukrainian authorities; and coordinated, through the urgent establishment of a continuous information mechanism between the competent ministries and environmental agencies of the two countries.

For his part, Ambassador Paun Rohovei informed the Moldovan side about the intervention measures taken by the Kyiv authorities immediately after the attack. According to the Ukrainian diplomat, the source of the pollution has already been stopped, and specialized teams are working to locate and contain the remaining hydrocarbon slicks in the storage basins.

The Ukrainian side reconfirmed its commitment to strict monitoring of the situation, acknowledging that the transboundary impact requires enhanced vigilance, in order to prevent pollutants from reaching drinking water intake points.

Both officials condemned the Russian aggression against civilian energy facilities. The sides underlined that such attacks do not only aim at destroying the energy system, but also cause environmental crimes that affect regional security and the health of the civilian population, regardless of borders.

The meeting concluded with a reconfirmation of a strong partnership between Chisinau and Kyiv. The two states will continue to coordinate their actions for the effective management of the crisis, with the priority being the protection of citizens’ health and the preservation of the Dniester ecosystem in the face of wartime challenges.