Lithuanian FM vows to help Moldova reduce energy dependence on Russia

VILNIUS – Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys met with his Moldovan counterpart Mihai Popsoi on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on Friday and vowed to help Moldova reduce its energy dependence on Russia.

Lithuania supports Moldova's Euro-integration aspirations and is ready to help Moldova to implement reforms, Lithuania's top diplomat said.

"Lithuania firmly believes in Moldova's European future. It is vital to increase the country's resilience to hybrid threats and reduce its energy dependence on Russia. We know from our experience the importance of energy decoupling from Russia and, together with the European Union, we will endeavor to help Moldova in every possible way," Budrys underlined.

The two ministers also discussed Lithuania's support to Moldova in the fight against Russian disinformation in the run-up to the upcoming general election.

On January 1, Russia's state energy giant Gazprom suspended gas supplies to Moldova, allegedly due to Moldova's large debts, leaving 400,000 people in Transnistria without heating and hot water.

Internationally recognized as part of Moldova, Transnistria declared independence amid the collapse of the Soviet Union and has been dependent on Moscow for financial support ever since, but Russian gas has been supplied to the region via Moldova.

In response to the energy situation, Lithuania has handed over an electricity generator worth 68,000 euros to Moldova.