Moldova started transporting EU-funded gas to the pro-Russian, breakaway region of Transnistria, hit by an unprecedented energy crisis, the government said Saturday. Russian state energy giant Gazprom halted gas supplies to Transnistria on January 1 over a debt dispute with the pro-EU Moldovan government,

Moldova on Wednesday signed a loan deal with its breakaway Transnistria region to supply 3 million cubic meters of gas amid an energy crisis stemming from Ukraine’s decision not to renew a deal on the transit of Russian gas to Europe earlier this month.

Moldovagaz and Tiraspoltransgaz signed a contract for the supply of 3 million cubic meters to maintain pressure in the gas transmission system of Transnistria until January 31. Transnistria has pledged to return these volumes by March 1.

Moldova will supply 3 million cubic meters of gas to the Russian-occupied Transnistria region on February 1, under an agreement signed earlier in the week, Reuters reported. Moldovagaz head Vadim Cheban stated that the gas will be delivered as a loan,