Moldova Gaz: Moldova sends first 3 mcm gas to Transdniestria
The company Moldovagaz said that it shipped the first 3 million cubic meters of natural gas to the Russian-backed separatist Transdniestria on Saturday. These were the first deliveries after the Russian gas transit via Ukraine was halted.
The pro-Moscow enclave in which Russia has sent troops to support the breakaway administration has been without power and heat since New Year's Day. This is because Ukraine refused to renew the transit agreement for Russian gas after almost three years of conflict between Kyiv & Moscow.
Vadim ceban, CEO of Moldovagaz, said that the deliveries are intended to replenish the Transdniestrian Gas System which is currently experiencing a gas shortage to maintain pressure.
Energocom, the domestic energy provider of Moldova, said it would begin purchasing gas for Transdniestria from European markets on February 1, to ensure consumers' supplies.
Officials said that the company would purchase 3 million cubic meters per day of natural gas from European stock exchanges, using the funds provided by European Union.
The tensions between Russia and Moldova (which lies between Ukraine & Romania) have been a constant source of tensions over gas supplies.
Vadim Krsnoselsky, the separatist leader of Transdniestria, said that he believed that the worst had already passed.
"It was difficult for everyone...But, we rallied, consolidated our effort, and managed," he stated on the Telegram application.
In an interview with the Moldovan central government, which is pro-European, the prime minister said that Russia wanted to bring a pro-Moscow government into power in the country. He said that Moscow was likely to provide only a small amount of gas to guarantee electricity to both the rebel-held and government areas.
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.
(source: Reuters)
