The leader of Transnistria, the Moldovan separatist region, announced on Wednesday that Russia will restore gas supplies to the region. This follows his recent visit to Moscow for discussions aimed at resolving a prolonged energy crisis.
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the president of the Moscow-backed territory, told reporters that he had negotiated with Russian energy officials but did not specify when gas would start flowing again. Moldovan media reported that Krasnoselsky traveled to Russia on Friday and returned on Tuesday.
“Technical details are still being worked out,” Krasnoselsky said, adding that the gas supply would be part of Russia’s “humanitarian and technical assistance” to Transnistria.
Since January 1, Transnistria has faced difficulties providing heating and hot water to its residents. This is due to the halt of gas deliveries from Gazprom, the Russian state energy giant, following a financial dispute with Moldova.
To manage the situation, Transnistria has implemented five-hour blackouts to meet energy demand. Residents have been forced to use wood-burning stoves or electric heaters to cope with freezing temperatures. The crisis has also caused a near-total shutdown of industrial activity, leaving tens of thousands of people unemployed.
Last Friday, authorities in Transnistria said they were relying on Russian support to overcome the crisis. They claimed that neither Moldova nor the European Union had provided substantial help.
Gazprom suspended gas deliveries to Moldova over alleged unpaid debts, coinciding with the expiration of a major gas transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine.
Russia has blamed Moldova and Ukraine for the crisis. Moscow accused Kyiv of “cynically” ending gas transit and cited Moldova’s outstanding debts. However, both the EU and Moldova have placed the blame on Russia, with Moldova arguing that Gazprom exaggerated the debt issue and that gas could still reach Transnistria via other routes through the Balkans.
Moldova’s pro-European Union President Maia Sandu acknowledged Krasnoselsky’s visit to Moscow, stating it showed her government’s willingness to find a solution. Moldova has avoided a broader energy crisis by securing energy imports from Romania.
Transnistria, which declared independence after the Soviet Union collapsed, is internationally recognized as part of Moldova. The region has depended on Russian financial and military support, with about 1,500 Russian troops stationed there.
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