Kremlin says Russia ready to buy gas for Transdniestria

MOSCOW. Jan 16 (Interfax) - Russia stands ready to procure natural gas for Transdniestria, but Chisinau is supposed to ensure its supply and contract for such supplies, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said.

"Moscow stands ready to provide aid to Transdniestria," Peskov told journalists on Thursday, when asked to comment on reports that Russia planned to procure gas for Transdniestria on the European spot market.

"Logistically, Moldova is supposed to undertake actions toward supplying gas and contracting for it," he said.

"We haven't heard any statements on their willingness to do so thus far," he said.

Since January 1, 2025, Ukraine has halted the transportation of Russian gas via its own gas transport system, thus cutting gas supply to Transdniestria via Moldova, which have amounted to 5.7 million cubic meters a day until recently. Transdniestria declared an economic state of emergency since December 10, 2024, and the right-bank part of Moldova has done so since December 16, 2024.

The Cuciurgan Thermal Power Plant, also known as Moldovan GRES, which is located in Transdniestria and which earlier operated on Russian gas and supplied electricity to the right bank of the Dniester river, has switched to coal since January 1, which, according to local media estimates, will last until January 20. Gas and heat supply to households and industrial facilities has been halted, and rolling blackouts have been applied in the region since January 3.

Transdniestrian leader Vadim Krasnoselsky visited Moscow on January 10-14, where he discussed options for resuming gas supplies with Russian Energy Ministry officials. Upon returning to Tiraspol, Krasnoselsky said he expected Russia to resume gas supply to Transdniestria shortly as humanitarian support.