Gazprom to Halt Gas Supply to Moldova

Gazprom has announced it will cease all natural gas supplies to Moldova and Transnistria starting January 1, 2025, citing a disputed debt of $709 million that Moldova claims is exaggerated. Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean criticized this move as a political tactic by Russia to weaponize energy, particularly affecting the Transnistrian region during winter. In response to the expected supply cut, Moldova has declared a state of emergency in its energy sector and has secured alternative gas sources to meet demand through March 2025. Gazprom reserves the right to terminate contracts, while Moldova, having diversified its energy supply, is prepared to challenge the debt claim legally. The situation underscores the geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe as Moldova navigates its energy crisis amidst Russian supply cuts and Ukraine's refusal to extend gas transit agreements. The conflicting debt figures between Gazprom and Moldova highlight the complexity of energy dependencies in the region.