RETROSPECTIVE 2025: Energy crisis and Moldova’s new reintegration strategy

The year 2025 was seen as a turning point for the Transnistrian issue and the longstanding frozen conflict. The unprecedented energy crisis faced by the pro-Russian separatist region appeared to create a window of opportunity for its reintegration into the Republic of Moldova. This was deemed a "historic opportunity" by commentators, but it ultimately proved to be illusory for several reasons, with the primary one being the influence of the Russian Federation.