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Russia to stop gas exports to Moldova beginning Jan. 1
December 28, 2024
Article Body TextMOSCOW / CHISINAU, MOLDOVA — <p>Russian energy giant Gazprom said Saturday it would suspend gas exports to Moldova from 0500 GMT on Jan. 1 due to unpaid debt by Moldova, which is bracing for severe power cuts.</p> <p>It said the company reserved the right to take any action, including terminating the supply contract with Moldova.</p> <p>Russia supplies Moldova with about 2 billion cubic meters of gas per year, which is piped via Ukraine to the breakaway region of Transdniestria, where it is used to generate cheap power that is sold to government-controlled parts of Moldova.</p> <p>Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean condemned the Russian decision, which is a precursor to a total shutdown of Russian gas exports via Ukraine and to Europe, where it flows farther to Slovakia, Austria, Hungary and Italy, once a current transit deal with Ukraine expires on Dec. 31.</p> <p>Moldova will be hit the hardest by the shutdown.</p> <p>"This decision confirms once again the intention of the Kremlin to leave the inhabitants of the Transdniestrian region without light and heat in the middle of the winter," Recean wrote on Facebook, accusing Russia of using energy as a political weapon.</p> <p>Moscow has repeatedly dismissed those allegations.</p> <p><strong>Difference over debt</strong></p> <p>Russia, which is critical of Moldova's West-leaning central government, has said Moldova should pay a debt on past supplies. According to Russian calculations, the debt stands at $709 million. Moldova has put the debt at $8.6 million.</p> <p>Gazprom has said previously it wants Moldova to pay the debt before it starts to pump gas to the country via alternate routes.</p> <p>Transdniestria and the government in Chisinau agreed in 2022 that all Russian gas received by Moldova would flow to the breakaway region, which traditionally does not pay for fuel.</p> <p>Without gas supplies, the power-generating plant could stop working and Moldova and Transdniestria would face hourslong blackouts like those experienced by Ukraine due to Russia's attacks on its energy infrastructure in their war.</p> <p>Recean said Moldova had diversified sources of gas supply "in order to reduce dependence on a single supplier."</p> <p>"Our country is prepared to handle any situation that arises following the Kremlin's decision," he said.</p> <p>Moldova's population of 2.5 million has been preparing for long power cuts since Ukraine's government said it will not extend its transit contract with Gazprom.</p> <p>Moldova and Transdniestria have declared states of emergency over the threat of disrupted gas supplies, and Moldova said Friday it will curb power exports and introduce measures to reduce consumption by at least a third beginning Jan. 1.</p> <p>Moldovan President Maia Sandu has accused Gazprom of provoking an energy crisis, saying it was refusing to supply gas through an alternate route.</p>
Content TypeText
LanguageEnglish
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
Subtitles / Dubbing AvailableNo
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateDecember 28, 2024 13:15 EST
BylineReuters
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
