Headline: Gazprom Halts Gas Supplies to Moldova; Ukraine‘s Transit Set to End
Subhead: Russian gas giant cites unpaid debts as reason for supply halt; Ukraine stands firm on transit contract.
Article:
Russian energy titan Gazprom has announced an impending halt to natural gas supplies to Moldova, effective from January 1, 2025. The decision, communicated to Moldovagaz, the recipient of the supplies, is allegedly due to unpaid debts accrued by Moldova.
In a statement, Gazprom accused Moldova of failing to meet its payment obligations under the existing contract, deeming it a "significant breach" of the agreement. Consequently, Gazprom will impose a daily supply cap of 0 cubic meters from January 1, 2025, at 08:00 Moscow Standard Time. This restriction will remain in place until Gazprom notifies Moldovagaz otherwise in writing.
Moldovagaz, however, has confirmed receipt of Gazprom’s decision and revealed that it has secured alternative gas supplies for the right bank of the Dniester River until the end of March 2025. The company also clarified that it has been receiving 5.7 million cubic meters of gas daily from Gazprom to supply the left bank region since December 2022.
Coincidentally, the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine’s territory will cease on the same day, December 31, 2024, at 07:00 Kyiv time. Ukraine had previously declared its intention not to extend the existing transit contract with Russia beyond 2024.
In response to the impending gas crisis, Moldova declared a 60-day state of emergency in its energy sector starting December 16, 2024, citing the risk of disrupted gas supplies to the breakaway region of Transnistria.
As the region braces for potential energy shortages, all eyes are on the diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving these escalating issues.
