Sandu refuses to discuss energy supply to Moldova with Kiev, puts full responsibility on Russia - Foreign Intelligence Service

MOSCOW. Dec 23 (Interfax) - Moldovan President Maia Sandu has categorically refused to discuss energy supply to Moldova after the expiration date of the Russian-Ukrainian gas transit agreement, the press bureau of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service said on Monday.

Senior European bureaucrats were left clutching their heads as they learned from Chisinau about the content of Sandu's recent meeting with the government leadership on energy security issues. The president lost her temper at the meeting after Prime Minister Dorin Recean's report on the problems of Moldova's energy supply, which Moldova might experience after the Russian-Ukrainian gas transit agreement expires on December 31, the service said.

"She categorically refused to discuss this issue with Ukraine and unconditionally placed full responsibility on Russia. Sandu said, 'If Moscow does not find a way to deliver gas here, then Chisinau will take it out on pro-Russian Transdniestria'," the service said.

"The president demanded that a forcible takeover of the power plant [Moldovan GRES located in Transdniestria] be prepared for," it said.

"The meeting ended with Sandu's statement on the need to draft a plan for a military operation to take control of Transdniestria and to eliminate the Russian peacekeeping presence in the region," the service said.

"Indeed, the European Union would not mind the appearance of another crisis in the zone of Russia's direct interests. However, Brussels is not ready for that so far. The proximity of the EU border makes this dangerous. Yet, there is no guarantee the Moldovan president does not actually try to unleash a real war in the region," it said.