Moldova faces energy crisis as Gazprom halts gas supply
In 2025, Gazprom will cease supplying natural gas to the Moldovan company Moldovagaz, which "will leave pro-Russian Transnistria in the cold," reports "Gazeta Wyborcza" on Tuesday. The energy crisis will pose a challenge for Chisinau during the year of parliamentary elections.
The Moldovan government recently mandated the nationalization of Moldovagaz, whose main shareholder is Gazprom. Russia, in its confrontation with the pro-Western authorities in Chisinau, is not standing idle. The energy giant will halt gas supplies to the Moldovan company starting January 1, 2025.
According to "Gazeta Wyborcza," this is a significant blow to pro-Russian Transnistria, which relies on supplies from Russia. The rest of the country has successfully diversified its energy resources.
Poland also assisted in breaking away from Russian dependency. "Polish PGNiG came to the rescue, breaking Gazprom's monopoly on gas supplies to Moldova for the first time in history," the newspaper recalls.
Alleged debts to Gazprom
The Russian company plans to cut off gas because Gazprom believes the Moldovan company owes $433 million (with interest totaling $709 million) for previous supplies. Chisinau disagrees with this assessment.
Through a tender, Moldova commissioned an audit on the debt issue conducted by a Norwegian law firm and an international consulting firm. It was determined that the potential debt amounts to $8.6 million. Gazprom stands by its claim, and the issue has deeper implications.
"Moscow is deliberately aiming to create an energy crisis in Moldova. Freezing the residents of Transnistria will be a challenge for Chisinau. This is especially significant because next year, parliamentary elections will be held in Moldova, with pro-Russian political groups attempting to regain power," writes "Gazeta Wyborcza."
