Hi Nick, I'm going to be sharing an article with my perspective on this and some scenarios today or tomorrow. I've also had a lot of trouble trying to see around the corners in this situation so hopefully I'm able to add something useful and not just muddy the waters more ;)
It ends when the criminal government in Kiev ceases to exist, and when the slimy actor and fraudster thief Zelensky is given refuge with his stolen millions (or billions!) in western currencies in Germany or the UK....where he will be shielded from corruption, treason and war crimes charges. Unfortunately nobody cares at all about Transnistria except Russia, who will reconnect the gas as soon as it can. Moldova should learn to pick it's "friends" a little more carefully, and see through their motives for "helping". How's it worked out so far with your "friends"? Don't expect anything better.
And don't think Sandu is not lining her pockets too.... with the her collusion with and sellout to Ukraine and the western oligarchs. Isn't it amazing that it's always the regular citizens who come out on the short end of the stick, while the thieves in government derm to thrive. Moldovan should pick a new government AND different "friends".
Why do you attack someone who disagrees with you by calling him a troll? Is that the best you can do? Is your position not supported by anything more intelligent than name-calling? Why not present something relevant, logical or factual? It appears that you yourself are the one engaging in trolling in this case Nick.
Hi everyone - I've decided to disable further comments on this post. I had to ban a user due to some less than civil commentary but this has somehow scrambled my ability to moderate further comments. Now I get notifications for all new comments but can only see around 1/2 of them. I don't know what's going on with Substack here but I'm just gonna turn them off for this post for now.
The root problem IS that Russia decided to cut the gas. There are alternative routes, Ukraine and Moldova can not be blamed. It was political decision by Russia, to state anything else is to act as useful idiot for Bardakistan.
Are you a pipeline engineer or authority Martin? Why do you think it would be possible to abruptly divert gas to Transnistria by the alleged "alternative routes"? Tell us just how that would work. And before you get the facts, stop believing the propaganda BS that you're being fed.
Wait a minute! Just because the alternative routes deliver to Orban, (you mean Hungary I suppose), that does not mean it can deliver to Transnistria too. So who's thick, Nick? Maybe you? Can you explain your logic here? It's apparent that you are a Russian hater, which is your right, but if you could make some sense when you speak (or write) it might strengthen your case. Same for you Martin old mate. If you throw around terms like useful idiot, without any facts or logical explanation, perhaps you should look into the mirror to see who is in fact the useful idiot. And surely both of you gents know too that when it's feasible Russia will resume shipments to Transnistria. Unless this is a purely one-sided propaganda piece, which I am beginning to surmise, the editor would caution you two lads to put some substance to what you post here.
Are you pipeline engineer by any chance? It was tested in real life and it is possible to deliver gas to the left bank through alternative routes. It’s just the political decision by Bardakistan, sorry Russia, to let the people in Transnistria suffer.
"Eastern European" - but now I have to check if that's the official name for the NYT bureau - I see that Higgins is the "East and Central European Bureau Chief": https://www.nytimes.com/by/andrew-higgins
Why did Russia not explore the alternative routes?
And Transnistria is occupied by Russian troops - how much longer do you expect Ukraine to keep Russian soldiers toasty warm? I'm amazed they did so for so long.
One thing I have yet to see from ANYONE...
How does this end?
Best case, worst case, any case?
The only bits that seem clear to me are:
Energy in Moldova Proper is becoming a LOT more expensive, for a LONG time.
I see no way for Transnistria to avoid a near complete economic collapse.
Therefore it's likely to be like a mini version of West Germany trying to lift up East Germany.
Best I can see is that Moldova's friends seize the opportunity to end the frozen conflict, and offer a LOT of support.
But, the energy inflation may well destroy the pro-Europe parties chances in the next election?
Hi Nick, I'm going to be sharing an article with my perspective on this and some scenarios today or tomorrow. I've also had a lot of trouble trying to see around the corners in this situation so hopefully I'm able to add something useful and not just muddy the waters more ;)
It ends when the criminal government in Kiev ceases to exist, and when the slimy actor and fraudster thief Zelensky is given refuge with his stolen millions (or billions!) in western currencies in Germany or the UK....where he will be shielded from corruption, treason and war crimes charges. Unfortunately nobody cares at all about Transnistria except Russia, who will reconnect the gas as soon as it can. Moldova should learn to pick it's "friends" a little more carefully, and see through their motives for "helping". How's it worked out so far with your "friends"? Don't expect anything better.
And don't think Sandu is not lining her pockets too.... with the her collusion with and sellout to Ukraine and the western oligarchs. Isn't it amazing that it's always the regular citizens who come out on the short end of the stick, while the thieves in government derm to thrive. Moldovan should pick a new government AND different "friends".
Only Russians think like this.
"Our guy is corrupt, but the rest are worse"
Charles.
Or Vladimir,
Or whatever your real name is.
Russia needs a better class of troll, this one is way too obvious.
Why do you attack someone who disagrees with you by calling him a troll? Is that the best you can do? Is your position not supported by anything more intelligent than name-calling? Why not present something relevant, logical or factual? It appears that you yourself are the one engaging in trolling in this case Nick.
An excellent and useful summary, thank you!
Hi everyone - I've decided to disable further comments on this post. I had to ban a user due to some less than civil commentary but this has somehow scrambled my ability to moderate further comments. Now I get notifications for all new comments but can only see around 1/2 of them. I don't know what's going on with Substack here but I'm just gonna turn them off for this post for now.
The root problem IS that Russia decided to cut the gas. There are alternative routes, Ukraine and Moldova can not be blamed. It was political decision by Russia, to state anything else is to act as useful idiot for Bardakistan.
Are you a pipeline engineer or authority Martin? Why do you think it would be possible to abruptly divert gas to Transnistria by the alleged "alternative routes"? Tell us just how that would work. And before you get the facts, stop believing the propaganda BS that you're being fed.
Because the alternative routes are already in use, delivering to Orban.
That's why.
You're a bit thick.
Wait a minute! Just because the alternative routes deliver to Orban, (you mean Hungary I suppose), that does not mean it can deliver to Transnistria too. So who's thick, Nick? Maybe you? Can you explain your logic here? It's apparent that you are a Russian hater, which is your right, but if you could make some sense when you speak (or write) it might strengthen your case. Same for you Martin old mate. If you throw around terms like useful idiot, without any facts or logical explanation, perhaps you should look into the mirror to see who is in fact the useful idiot. And surely both of you gents know too that when it's feasible Russia will resume shipments to Transnistria. Unless this is a purely one-sided propaganda piece, which I am beginning to surmise, the editor would caution you two lads to put some substance to what you post here.
You just don’t believe the BS you are fed but you also spread it. Probably that makes you a double useful idiot. Or is that already useless idiot?
Are you pipeline engineer by any chance? It was tested in real life and it is possible to deliver gas to the left bank through alternative routes. It’s just the political decision by Bardakistan, sorry Russia, to let the people in Transnistria suffer.
And as the article points out, Ukraine has offered to help with coal.
For whatever reason, the Transnistria cutoff or it's just too cold in Moscow, the EE bureau is still hanging out in Moldova: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/09/world/europe/moldova-wine-cellar-putin.html?unlocked_article_code=1.n04.yYmh.2frDQ9LxjmZ1&smid=url-share
Hey Connie, what's "EE bureau"?
The NYTimes article is an interesting one. Human interest and maybe a side piece given all that's going on but well done I think.
"Eastern European" - but now I have to check if that's the official name for the NYT bureau - I see that Higgins is the "East and Central European Bureau Chief": https://www.nytimes.com/by/andrew-higgins
Bollocks.
Why did Russia not explore the alternative routes?
And Transnistria is occupied by Russian troops - how much longer do you expect Ukraine to keep Russian soldiers toasty warm? I'm amazed they did so for so long.