Transnistria ready to buy gas from Moldova, separatist leader says
The leader of the breakaway Moldovan region Transnistria says “of course we need help,” as a shutdown in Russian gas supplies plunges the separatist state into crisis. In a statement after a meeting of the region’s “security council”, Vadim Krasnoselsky blames Moldova for not providing “real” help and “obstructing” Transnistria’s economic activities. (AFP)
Moscow, Russia — The leader of breakaway Transnistria said Monday his government was ready to buy gas from Moldova, more than two weeks after a halt in Russian supplies plunged his region into crisis.
The tiny self-proclaimed separatist enclave in Moldova that borders Ukraine has been unable to provide heating and hot water to residents since January 1, when Moscow cut off gas to Moldova over a financial dispute.
“Transnistria is ready to buy natural gas through Moldovagaz,” pro-Russian leader Vadim Krasnoselsky said in a post on Telegram, referring to Moldova’s largest energy supplier.
“Essentially, given that Tiraspol wants to involve third-party companies in gas supply, we need to ensure transparency and compliance in gas supply arrangements for the Transnistrian region,” the office of Moldova’s pro-EU President Maia Sandu said in a separate statement.
Chisinau needs to “verify that the process complies with the EU energy regulations Moldova has pledged to uphold, aligns with international sanctions on Russia, and adheres to global standards for combating money laundering”.
Russian energy provider Gazprom halted gas to Moldova on January 1 over what it said were longstanding debts of the government in Chisinau, the same day a major gas transit agreement between Moscow and Kyiv to pipe gas across Ukraine ended.
Moldova blames Moscow for the crisis, saying it is weaponizing gas supplies and blowing the debt issue out of proportion.
The crisis has caused an almost total shutdown in industry in the breakaway state, with residents enduring five-hour long blackouts and burning wood to stay warm.
Internationally recognized as part of Moldova, Transnistria declared independence at the end of the Soviet Union and has been reliant on Moscow’s financial support ever since. Russia has around 1,500 troops stationed there.
