The leader of Moldova’s breakaway region of Transnistria has travelled to Moscow since the suspension of Russian gas deliveries via Ukraine, says Moldova’s president.
Transnistria has suffered widespread power cuts since 1 January when Russia’s Gazprom suspended gas exports to the region over an alleged $709m (£582m) debt, a figure fiercely disputed by Moldova’s pro-Western government.
Moscow blames the suspension of gas supplies on Moldova and Ukraine, which refused to extend a five-year gas transit deal that expired on 31 December on the grounds that the proceeds help fund Russia’s invasion.
Moldova says Moscow could use an alternative route to continue supplying Transnistria, which was receiving gas via Ukraine.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu gave no details about Vadim Krasnoselsky’s trip to Moscow but said the decision to allow him to travel via Chisinau showed that her government was not obstructing efforts to resolve the crisis.
Neither Krasnoselsky’s office nor the Russian authorities have commented on the visit.
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