Moldova Signs €30 Million Deal with France to Boost Energy Efficiency and Fight Russian Pressure
(Adapted from a Reuters report)
Moldova has signed a €30 million ($32.5 million) deal with France to improve its energy efficiency and reduce dependence on foreign energy. The agreement, signed with the French Development Agency, aims to cut energy waste, lower costs, and make Moldova more energy independent.
According to Reuters, President Maia Sandu announced the deal after meeting French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday.
Moldova, a small country near Ukraine, has been facing pressure from Russia, which has been accused of creating an energy crisis to destabilize the country. Sandu’s pro-European government says Russia is using energy as a weapon, especially after Russian gas company Gazprom cut off supplies to a breakaway region of Moldova called Transdniestria. Russia, however, blames Moldova for the crisis.
Macron warned that Russia is increasingly trying to destabilize Moldova, which shares a border with Ukraine and hopes to join the European Union by 2030.
He pointed out that Russian drones and missiles often violate Moldova’s airspace, and Moscow is targeting the country’s democratic institutions.
Sandu also called on European allies to keep supporting Ukraine, saying Russia wants to take control of Moldova and use it as a base for further aggression against Kyiv. “Moscow’s strategy is clear – to exploit Moldova’s weaknesses, undermine our democracy, and turn our country into a tool for more attacks,” she said, as reported by Reuters.
The new deal with France is a step toward strengthening Moldova’s energy security and reducing its reliance on Russian gas. Sandu emphasized that the agreement will help Moldova save energy, cut costs, and protect its independence.
As Moldova faces these challenges, the support from France and other European countries is crucial. Reuters highlights that the country is caught in a difficult position, balancing its pro-European goals with the threat of Russian interference.
Credit: Reuters