Zelenskiy and Sandu, the Moldovan energy minister, discuss Ukrainian coal as a way to ease Transdniestria's energy crisis

On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Moldovan president Maia Sandu discussed the use of Ukrainian coal to ease energy shortages that have plagued Moldova's Transdniestria separatist region.

Transdniestria has relied for many years on Russian gas supplies. The flow of gas through Ukraine to the region was halted by Ukraine on January 1, after it refused to renew a contract allowing transit through its territory.

Zelenskiy, after speaking with Sandu about the crisis by phone, said that he was "ready to help Moldova with coal supplies".

The crisis was caused by "Russia's attempts to manipulate energy resources", he said, to the detriment to Moldova's pro European government. He said that "it is crucial to maintain stability in Moldova and to provide all citizens with the conditions for peaceful living".

Sandu said in a press release on the website of the president that the two leaders had "agreed" to find common solutions to stop the humanitarian crisis from worsening, including the use of coal and other alternative energy sources.

Ukrainian coal could be used to keep operating a thermal plant which provides electricity for the separatist region and also accounts for most of the power needs in government-controlled areas of Moldova.

Officials have already made adjustments to allow the plant to run on coal.

Both leaders of Ukraine and Moldova have emphasized that they are negotiating to join the European Union.

Sandu denounced Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and accused Moscow for trying to topple her government.

Transdniestria is dependent on Moscow for financial support, despite living alongside Moldova for over 30 years.

The 450,000 residents of the country are subjected twice daily to rolling blackouts lasting four hours. Vadim Krsnoselsky accuses Moldovan authorities of failing to address the crisis, and denies statements that central authorities have offered assistance to ease the effect of the gas cutoff. Reporting by Ron Popeski, Tom Balmforth and Alistair Bell.

(source: Reuters)