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Gas halted and borders opened: 1 January 2025
Summary
A look back at two developments reported on 1 January 2025, affecting Moldova, Transnistria, Bulgaria and Romania.
What did the first day of the year change for Ukraine's southwestern neighbours? On 2 January 2025, the reports from the previous day pointed in two directions: a supply cut for some, and open borders for others.
Gas supplies halted
On 1 January 2025, Russia's Gazprom halted gas supplies both to Moldova and to the self-proclaimed Transnistrian Republic. As announced beforehand, the company alleged that payment obligations had not been met.
Schengen enlargement
The same day, Bulgaria and Romania finalised the process of joining the Schengen Area and lifted their land border controls.
The two reports concerned different matters, but both involved states in Ukraine's immediate neighbourhood and marked the start of 2025.
