MOSCOW: Russian energy giant Gazprom has announced it will cut off gas supplies to Moldova starting January 1, 2025, citing a debt dispute as the tiny nation grapples with an energy crisis.
The decision comes amid heightened tensions in Eastern Europe, where several countries are bracing for a halt in Russian gas flows. Kyiv has also announced plans to block Russian gas transit through its territory within days, adding to the regional energy scramble.
Earlier this month, Moldova declared a 60-day state of emergency, anticipating the looming gas shutdown.
“Gazprom will reduce natural gas supplies to Moldova to zero cubic meters per day from 0500 GMT on January 1, 2025,” the company stated, accusing Chisinau of failing to resolve outstanding debts. The Russian firm further claimed Moldova had breached contractual obligations and hinted at the possibility of terminating the supply agreement entirely.
Moldova, which relies heavily on Russian gas for electricity production in its breakaway region of Transnistria, now faces a precarious energy future. Gazprom’s move underscores the fragile state of energy security in Eastern Europe, where the political and economic stakes are rising with every passing day.
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