Russian Foreign Ministry Criticizes Moldovan Leadership Over Energy Crisis

MOSCOW, September 30. /TASS/. Moldovan authorities, led by Maia Sandu, have engineered an unprecedented energy crisis through their pursuit of "European freedom and European values," leaving the country completely unprepared for winter, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

She noted that Chisinau continues to level unsubstantiated accusations against Russia to deflect attention from energy shortages toward "drone hysteria" and an imaginary Russian threat.

"The Moldovan authorities are persisting in their attempts to demonize Russia, seeking to divert attention from the unprecedented domestic energy crisis – a crisis of their own making," the diplomat told a briefing.

Zakharova pointed to claims by President Maia Sandu alleging 39 violations of Moldovan airspace by Russian drones since the beginning of this year, compared to 17 cases in 2025, with Sandu asserting that "Russia, which seeks to instill fear and force submission," is solely to blame.

"As usual, Sandu provided no evidence. It all amounts to baseless allegations," Zakharova emphasized. "The real motive behind this drone hysteria is obvious: the incompetent policies of the Moldovan leadership have left the country entirely unready for the winter season."

She added that Chisinau had already hiked natural gas prices by over 40% on September 1, with another 30% increase scheduled for October 1, while heating tariffs in several cities have skyrocketed by 70%.

"An energy state of emergency was declared in Moldova on September 26. Who is responsible for this? The Sandu regime," the spokeswoman said. "This is the price of so-called 'European freedom' and 'European values.' Yet, Chisinau once grandly announced a complete rejection of Russian gas."