**Transnistria Rejects Offer to Buy Gas from Europe**
The Russian-occupied region of Transnistria in Moldova has refused an offer from Chisinau to buy gas through European platforms. Instead, the region’s leaders expect Russia’s Gazprom to resume deliveries of natural gas.
This comes after Gazprom halted gas supplies to Moldova on January 1, citing unpaid debts by Moldovagaz. The suspension triggered an energy crisis in Transnistria, which now faces industrial collapse due to widespread power outages.
**Transnistria Dependent on Russian Gas**
Russian troops have occupied Transnistria since the early 1990s. While the rest of Moldova has switched to European energy supplies, the region is heavily dependent on Russian gas. Authorities in Transnistria do not want to purchase gas from Europe, claiming it would involve “higher and unstable” energy prices.
**Energy Crisis Deepens**
The energy crisis in Transnistria deepened with shortages leaving nearly 75,000 households without gas and another 116,000 with reduced supply. Sergey Obolonik, the first deputy chairman of the Transnistrian administration, called the situation “grave.”
**Gazprom Disputes Claims**
Moldovan officials dispute Gazprom’s claims regarding outstanding payments, noting an international audit failed to verify the debts.
**Protests in Slovakia**
Meanwhile, approximately 4,000 people assembled in Bratislava on January 3 to protest Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico‘s pro-Russian policies.
**Ukraine Exports Agricultural Products**
In other news, Ukraine exported 78.3 million tons of agricultural products in 2024, including grains and sunflower seeds critical to markets across Africa and Asia. Navy Commander Oleksii Neizhpapa said that 4,651 vessels arrived in Ukraine, while 4,410 departed for other ports.
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