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.

Two weeks have passed since the Russian gas transit through Ukraine was stopped, and despite all the efforts of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, there are almost no prospects for resuming supplies.

Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico, who has sought the resumption of Russian gas transit through Ukraine, will discuss the issue with European Commission officials on Thursday, his office said on Tuesday.

Russia would like to see a resumption in the transit of gas via Ukraine, the Kremlin said on Tuesday, after the European Commission issued a statement saying it planned to continue talks with Kyiv on natural gas supplies to Europe.