Chisinau responded to Patrushev's comments suggesting that Moldova "will soon become part of another state or cease to exist."

Moldovan officials condemned the recent statements made by Nikolai Patrushev, an aide to Putin, who claimed that Moldova "will either become part of another state or cease to exist" due to its "anti-Russian policy," as reported by the Moldovan media outlet NewsMaker on January 14.

Patrushev accused the Moldovan government of causing the energy crisis. In an interview with "Komsomolskaya Pravda," he urged Chisinau to "not deceive itself and its people," and to "acknowledge its mistakes and rectify the situation."

"I do not rule out that the aggressive anti-Russian policy of Chisinau will lead to Moldova either becoming part of another state or completely ceasing to exist," said Patrushev.

The Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs labeled these remarks as an unacceptable interference in the country's internal affairs.

"Moldova is a sovereign state that firmly upholds the path of democracy and European integration in accordance with the will of its citizens," stated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The energy crisis, exacerbated by Russia's halting of gas supplies in December 2024, has been described by Chisinau as Kremlin blackmail and a threat to national security.

Moldova has begun importing electricity from European markets, leading to significant disruptions in the Russian-controlled Transnistria, including power outages and industrial shutdowns.

Previously, the authorities in Transnistria rejected Chisinau's offer to assist in purchasing gas through European platforms.

While Moldova has transitioned to European energy sources, Transnistria remains heavily dependent on Russian gas. Russian troops have been stationed in the region since the early 1990s.