Moldova in showdown with Russia’s Gazprom over gas pricing

Amid a showdown with Moscow, Moldova has signed a contract with Poland for natural gas deliveries, the first time the ex-Soviet country is turning to a supplier other than Russia.   

The move comes after Russian state energy giant Gazprom hiked prices for Moldova, prompting the country’s pro-Western government to declare a state of emergency that allowed it to seek alternative supplies.   

Gazprom, which extended the contract until the end of October, warned last week it could cut Moldova’s gas supply if the country does not settle its bill and sign a new contract.   

The Moldovan government said late Monday it had signed an agreement with Polish state-owned company PGNiG on “the trial purchase” of one million cubic metres of gas for Moldovan utility company Energocom.   “It is the first acquisition of gas from alternative sources in Moldova’s history,” the government press service said in a statement. PGNiG in its press release said the tender “was organised on an urgent basis due to reduction in gas supplies to Moldova by Gazprom.” Pressure has been mounting on Moldova’s political leadership after the country’s contract with Gazprom expired in September. 
Moldova, (AFP), 26 October 2021