US to Provide USD 50 Million to Moldova to Counter Hybrid Threats and USD 85 Million for Energy

The US will provide Moldova with USD 50 million to counter hybrid threats from Russia and support justice reform. Another USD 85 million will be used to develop the energy sector, including alternative sources. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced this today at the joint press conference with President Maia Sandu. ‘We want to support you in cleaning up the judicial system. We will be working with our Congress to provide an additional USD 50 million to further advance these efforts. That in turn will bolster the ability of Moldovans to resist Russian interference, to hold free and fair elections, to continue down the path to the European Union and create more economic opportunity,’ Blinken said. He promised that the US would continue supporting Moldova, including its energy sector. They planned to invest up to USD 85 million in this area. ‘Russian attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure have affected you as well. Moldova, like the United States, is seeking to increase its use of renewable energy to move away from dependence on Russia. Today, I will visit an electrical substation and am pleased to announce an USD 85 million investment from USAID in Moldova’s energy structure, solar panels, high-voltage lines, etc. This will help you strengthen your power grid,’ Blinken said. The US Secretary of State thanked Moldova for its solidarity with the Ukrainian people after the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine. ‘You are really a small country with a big heart, which is very helpful to the Ukrainian people in the most difficult times,’ the US Secretary of State said. President Maia Sandu added that thanks to the American financial assistance of USD 80 million last winter, the authorities had managed to compensate citizens with increased bills. The head of state thanked Washington for the assistance in various fields. According to the Presidential Administration, out of the over USD 770 million allocated to Moldova since 2022, USD 300 million were used to overcome the energy crisis and strengthen Moldova’s energy security. Of these funds, USD 80 million were used to compensate gas and electricity bills for citizens. Another USD 135 million of the allocated US aid package intends to increase domestic electricity generation and build a high-voltage line through the Straseni and Gutinas power stations, which will connect Moldova to Romania’s electricity grid, thus facilitating integration into the European energy network.