Leader of Moldova’s separatist region visits Moscow to discuss gas crisis

Transdniestria, the news agency of Transdniestria, reported that on Tuesday the leader of Moldova’s Transdniestria region has traveled to Moscow to hold talks in order to resolve a crisis resulting from the suspension of Russian Gas deliveries.

Transdniestria is experiencing widespread power outages since January 1, when Russia's Gazprom stopped gas exports. The company cited an unpaid Moldovan bill of $709 millions that Chisinau doesn't recognize as valid.

Moscow has blamed the suspension of gas supply on Moldova and Ukraine. Both countries refused to renew a five-year transit agreement that expired on December 31 because they believed the proceeds would be used to fund Russia's invasion.

Moldova said that Moscow could use a different route to continue to supply Transdniestria which received gas via Ukraine.

Novosti Pridnestovya quoted his press secretary Denis Podgorny as saying that Vadim Krasnoselsky, Transdniestria’s separatist leader, held negotiations with the aim of overcoming the energy crisis.

The Russian authorities did not comment on his remarks.

Maia Sandu, Moldova's prowestern president, confirmed that she knew about the visit. She added: "We are committed to ensuring that the Transdniestrian people have access to electricity, heat and water as quickly as possible."

Sandu reiterated that Transdniestria only acts on Moscow's orders. Tiraspol, the capital of the separatist region, is not its own. It's the Kremlin.

Officials in Moldova claim that they have offered Transdniestria assistance with purchasing gas from external markets, and procuring coal from Ukraine. Separatist authorities claim that Chisinau made no proposals.

Sandu said that she believes the energy crisis has been artificially stoked and argued that Russia has alternative routes to continue providing contracted natural gas. She added that Russia's sole goal was to destabilize the situation in Moldova.

Sandu, the second-term president of Moldova who was elected in a close election last year, wants to bring Moldova into the European Union. (Reporting and writing by Alexander Tanas; Editing by Gareth Jones).

(source: Reuters)