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.

Russian newspaper Kommersant has reported that Moscow and Transnistria, a Russian-backed breakaway region of Moldova, are discussing the possibility of buying gas for the region in Europe through an intermediary company.

The Russian authorities and the leadership of Moldova’s breakaway region of Transnistria are reportedly exploring a plan to supply gas to the region through purchases on the European spot market, facilitated by an intermediary company,

A humanitarian catastrophe is looming for the 367,000 inhabitants of Transnistria, a region of Moldova living under pro-Russian separatist control. Counting on rising discontent in both Transnistria and Moldova ahead of the parliamentary elections,

Russia will begin supplying gas as humanitarian aid to Moldova’s breakaway region of Transnistria, but not to the rest of Moldova, Transnistrian leader Vadim Krasnoselsky announced on Wednesday, according to Russian state media.

The Moscow-controlled breakaway region of Moldova will receive gas as a "humanitarian gesture" from the Kremlin, while the rest of the country will remain cut off after Russia halted supplies on 1 January,

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.