Headline:
Russia Halts Gas Supply to Moldova as of New Year
Subheadline:
Premier Condemns ‘Political Weapon’ Usage; No Clear Future for European Gas Supplies
Article:
Russia’s state-owned gascompany, Gazprom, has announced that it will cease gas exports to Moldova from January 1, 2025. The decision comes amidst rising tensions between the two countries and growing concerns over Europe’s reliance on Russian gas.
The Moldavian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Dorin Recean, swiftly condemned the move, accusing Russia of using gas as a political weapon. Recean pointed out the irony of Russia cutting off gas supplies to the very region it claims to protect, Transnistria, where the gas enters Moldova.
Moldova currently receives Russian gas through Ukrainian pipelines, but Ukraine’s contract with Gazprom expires at the end of this month. In a bid to secure alternative supply routes, Moldovan Energy Minister Viktor Parlikov traveled to Saint Petersburg in November, proposing gas delivery through Turkey, Bulgaria, and Romania. However, Gazprom refused, demanding a settlement of approximately €750 million from Moldova, a figure the latter contests, putting it at €8.5 million.
The Russian state gas company has not cited specific reasons for the supply halt. It follows a pattern of using energy exports as a geopolitical tool, as seen during the 2006 and 2009 disputes with Ukraine.
The Moldovian parliament declared a state of emergency earlier this month due to looming gas shortages, enabling the redistribution of available gas and export restrictions. Currently, Russian gas meets around 80% of Moldova’s demand. The government is exploring legal avenues to prevent the impending gas shutdown.
The impact of Gazprom’s decision extends beyond Moldova. Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria, also remain reliant on Russian gas. The potential shutdown of gas supplies via Ukraine could signal a broader shift in Russia’s energy strategy. The future of European gas supplies from Russia remains uncertain, depending on the outcome of ongoing negotiations and geopolitical dynamics.
