Moldova's separatist region says gas running out

Alexander Tanas - Reuters - 25/01
The leader of Moldova's separatist Transdniestria region, gripped by power and heating cuts, said on Friday that gas reserves would be exhausted within days and urged the central government to end "artificial delays" and provide new supplies.
  • Separatist leader says gas supplies will soon be exhausted
  • Accuses Moldova's pro-Western government of stalling
  • Moldova says Russia to blame for the crisis
CHISINAU, Jan 25 (Reuters) - The leader of Moldova's separatist Transdniestria region, gripped by power and heating cuts, said on Friday that gas reserves would be exhausted within days and urged the central government to end "artificial delays" and provide new supplies.
But Moldova's prime minister said the solution could be solved only if Russian gas producer Gazprom (GAZP.MM), opens new tab resumed shipments to Moldova, or if the pro-Russian separatist region agreed to pay for gas secured on European markets.
Transdniestria, which split from Moldova as the Soviet Union was collapsing, had long received Russian gas passing through Ukraine, but authorities in Kyiv, locked in a nearly three-year war with Moscow, have refused to extend a transit agreement.
The gas was also used to run a thermal plant that provided most of the power in government-held areas of Moldova.
Transdniestria's self-styled president, Vadim Krasnoselsky, said many of his region's 350,000 residents were falling ill or dying from fires and carbon monoxide poisoning after trying to keep warm i...
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