CHISINAU - 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.

The issue lies in the fact that gas shipments to Transnistria through intermediaries breach Moldovan law. Read also: Kremlin’s gas gamble: Transnistria left in crisis "Gazprom, as the majority shareholder of Moldovagaz,

Moldova and its separatist Transdniestria region inched towards a deal on Monday to allow gas to flow to residents of the rebel enclave, who have been suffering from power and heating cuts since the start of the year.

The leader of Moldova's breakaway region of Transdniestria has travelled to Moscow since the suspension of Russian gas deliveries via Ukraine, the president of Moldova said on Tuesday.Transdniestria has suffered widespread power cuts since Jan.

Since Russia stopped delivering gas to Moldova, Valera Alexandru Sava only heats the ground floor of his two-storey house and often wears a coat and hat inside. On Monday, Transnistria said it was ready to buy gas from Moldova,