Zelenskyy said last year he had no intention of renewing the gas transit deal, stressing the importance for Europe of moving on from Russia and not allowing the Kremlin to ‘earn additional billions’ on Ukrainian blood.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu told her Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Saturday that Russia was orchestrating an energy crisis in her country with the intention of bringing a pro-Moscow government to power there. Russia denies any interference in Moldova's internal affairs.

Moscow demands public refutation and compliance with diplomatic norms after a Moldovan political party calls for expulsion of Russia’s ambassador - Anadolu Ajansı

The European Union renewed on Monday its wide-ranging sanctions on Russia over the war in Ukraine, after Hungary stopped holding up the move in return for a declaration on energy security.

Russia summoned Moldova's ambassador to protest accusations against its ambassador in Chisinau by a Moldovan political party. The party has called for Russia's ambassador to be expelled. Moldova's President alleges Russia is engineering an energy crisis to influence political outcomes,

Russia has summoned Moldova's ambassador over accusations made by a Moldovan political party against the Russian ambassador in Chisinau, amid an energy crisis affecting Transdniestria. Moldova alleges Russian interference,

The European Union will provide 30 million euros ($31.5 million) to purchase and transport natural gas to Moldova's breakaway region of Transdniestria, Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean said on Monday.

Moldova's prime minister told AFP on Wednesday the international community is ready to offer gas to end the energy crisis in Transnistria but a lasting solution hinges on Russia withdrawing its troops from the separatist region.

Russia has long used its plentiful energy resources as a tool to exert control over the region, where independence from Russian energy is tied to political sovereignty.

It is also worth noting that the alignment of Moldova's and Transdniester's fiscal and customs policies has meant that 70 percent of the breakaway region's foreign trade is with countries of the EU -- and that could only increase if Moldova moves closer to the bloc.

The European Union has agreed to give Moldova €30 million ($31 million) to help fund emergency gas deliveries to the country’s pro-Russian breakaway region of Transnistria from 1 February.

The Kremlin said on Thursday that Russia was ready to provide gas to Moldova's breakaway Transdniestria region, but needed logistical support from Moldova to make that happen.