**Russia Discusses Buying Gas for Transnistria on European Market**
Moscow and local authorities in Transnistria are talking about buying gas for the Russian-held region of Moldova. This is according to a report by the Russian state-controlled media outlet Kommersant.
The costs of this gas will likely be paid for by Russia, Kommersant reported. This decision comes after Gazprom, Russia’s energy giant, stopped supplying gas to Transnistria on January 1. The reason given was that Moldova had unpaid debts, but many believe the real reason is because Ukraine stopped allowing Russian gas to pass through its territory.
**Power Outages and Industrial Collapse**
Transnistria has been experiencing widespread power outages since Gazprom stopped supplies. This has pushed the region towards industrial collapse. Most of Transnistria’s energy comes from Russia, while the rest of Moldova has started buying gas from European sellers.
**Buying Gas on the European Market**
Kommersant reported that up to 3 million cubic meters of gas per day could be bought for a price of around $164 million. The gas would likely be supplied by a company other than Moldovagaz, which is the largest gas provider in Transnistria. Instead, it would come from Natural Gaz D.C., another Moldovan gas supplier.
**Investigation and Humanitarian Aid**
The co-owner of Natural Gaz D.C. has confirmed that his company had signed a contract to supply 2-3 million cubic meters of gas per day to Transnistria. However, Moldova’s Security and Intelligence Service questioned him about this plan. The head of the Moscow-controlled region, Vadim Krasnoselsky, said that Russia will resume gas supplies to Transnistria in the form of humanitarian aid.
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