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Headline: Gazprom Halts Gas Supplies to Moldova‘s Transnistria Region over Unpaid Bills; Ukraine‘s Transit Uncertainty Looms

Subheading: The decision by Russia’s Gazprom to halt gas supplies to Moldova’s breakaway Transnistria region could jeopardize energy security in the country and add pressure to its negotiations with Ukraine on gas transit. The move comes as Moldova faces its worst energy crisis in decades and relies heavily on Russian gas supplies.

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Russian energy giant Gazprom announced it would stop gas supplies to Moldova’s Transnistria region starting January 1, 2025, citing unpaid bills. The company accused Moldovan state-owned gas firm Moldovagaz of repeatedly failing to fulfill its payment obligations under the current contract.

"We regret to inform that Moldovagaz has repeatedly failed to meet its payment obligations, which is a significant breach of the contract," Gazprom spokesperson Sergei Kupriyanov said. "As a result, we have decided to temporarily limit supplies to zero cubic meters per day starting January 1, 2025, at 08:00 Moscow time."

Gazprom reserved all its rights, including the option to unilaterally terminate the contract and seek compensation for damages and penalties, pending further negotiations with Moldovagaz. The company stated that the limitation would remain in effect until it informed Moldovagaz otherwise.

In response, interim Moldovagaz head Vadim Cheban acknowledged Gazprom’s decision. He noted that the entire Russian gas supply had been rerouted to Transnistria since December 2022, while gas for consumers on the right side of the Dniester River was purchased from regional and European markets. Cheban reassured the public that Moldovagaz had secured sufficient gas volumes to meet right-bank demand until the end of March 2025.

The current gas supply contract between Russia and Moldova expires in late October 2026. However, Gazprom has already restricted gas supplies to Moldova to just 5.7 million cubic meters per day, significantly less than the country’s winter consumption. The limited supplies were initially meant to target the Moldovan market but were later redirected to the energy-intensive Transnistria region.

The unfolding events coincide with Ukraine’s refusal to extend its gas transit agreement with Russia beyond January 1, 2025. In light of this, Moldova has imposed a 60-day state of emergency in its energy sector. However, the alternative gas supply route through the Trans localhosting (Trans年後) via Turkey is yet to materialize due to Russia’s claim of unpaid bills from the separatist Transnistrian region.

Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean has rejected Russia’s payment demands, arguing that Moldova does not recognize the debts incurred by the unrecognized state of Transnistria. Russia’s move to halt gas supplies further complicates the delicate energy situation in Moldova, with the country facing potential gas shortages amidst soaring domestic demand and increasing geopolitical tensions.

As the region braces for potential energy rationing, experts warn that Moldova must accelerate its efforts to find alternative gas supply sources and strengthen its energy diplomacy to ensure its long-term energy security and sovereignty. The escalating gas crisis also underscores the critical importance of diversified energy supply routes, enhanced regional cooperation, and robust international support for vulnerable energy-importing countries in Eastern Europe.