**Moldova’s Transnistria Region Faces Energy Crisis**
The head of Moldova’s Russian-controlled region of Transnistria, Vadim Krasnoselsky, met with officials in Moscow to discuss the region’s energy crisis. The crisis began when Russia’s state-owned gas company Gazprom cut off gas supplies to Moldova due to alleged unpaid debts.
**Widespread Power Outages**
The power outages have led to widespread blackouts in Transnistria, pushing the region towards industrial collapse. Authorities had previously rejected an offer from Moldova to help purchase gas via European platforms.
**Transnistria’s Reliance on Russian Gas**
Transnistria remains heavily reliant on Russian gas, with Russian troops stationed in the region since the early 1990s. Gazprom attributed the cutoff to Moldova’s purported debt rather than transit issues, but Moldovan officials dispute these claims.
**Global Developments**
In other news, Slovakia’s pro-Western opposition parties announced plans to initiate a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Robert Fico’s government. South Korea is set to hold consultations with Ukraine regarding the transfer of captured North Korean soldiers if they request defection.
**Ukraine Updates**
Metinvest, Ukraine’s largest steel producer, has suspended operations at the Pokrovsk coking coal mine due to worsening security conditions and power outages. The Ukrainian Air Force will transfer military personnel to reinforce combat brigades in early 2025.
**NATO and Russia Tensions**
NATO has welcomed its “Baltic Sentry” mission, aimed at monitoring, deterring, and responding to potential threats. Up to 10 NATO vessels will patrol the Baltic Sea until April. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russian forces attacked Ukraine with 80 Shahed-type drones overnight, shooting down 58 of them.
The US and UK have imposed sanctions on Russia’s oil industry and shadow fleet, affecting around 65 oil tankers worldwide. European officials see a rising chance that the new US leadership will seek to help Ukraine negotiate from a position of strength.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com