Sandu, the leader of Moldova's separatist area, has said that he travelled to Moscow in response to the gas crisis.

Transdniestria's leader has been to Moscow after the Russian gas supply via Ukraine was suspended, said the President of Moldova on Tuesday.

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 supplying Transdniestria which received gas via Ukraine.

At a press conference, Moldova's prowestern President Maia Sandu did not provide any details on the Transdniestria separatist leader Vadim Krsnoselsky's visit to Moscow. His office and Russian authorities have not commented on the visit.

Sandu said that Moldova's decision to let him travel to Moscow via Chisinau demonstrated that her government is not blocking efforts to resolve this crisis. The crisis has led to gas cuts, rolling power outages and water supply issues in Transdniestria.

Sandu said that "Tiraspol is refusing to accept Moldovan help, but it's not their (refusal)," reiterating Chisinau’s belief that Transdniestria only acts on Moscow's instructions. Tiraspol, the capital of the separatist region, is not its own. It's actually 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 argued that Russia has alternative routes for continuing to supply 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)