Moldova is preparing to seek assistance from the European Commission to secure a stable gas supply if Ukraine halts gas transit following the expiration of its agreement with Russia in December. Vadim Ceban, vice chairman of the board at Moldovagaz, highlighted the key risks to Moldova’s gas transit, primarily Ukraine’s refusal to extend the transit agreement and ongoing hostilities. If these uncertainties persist, Moldova will turn to the European Commission for a compromise solution.
The expiration of the five-year deal between Ukraine and Russia has raised concerns, with Russian energy giant Gazprom suggesting that Moldova should negotiate gas transit with Ukraine beyond 2024. However, Ukraine has consistently refused to extend the agreement. Additionally, Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration, Oleg Serebryan, warned that halting Russian gas supplies to the breakaway region of Transnistria would lead to a humanitarian crisis.
To mitigate the risks, Ceban mentioned that Moldova may have to seek alternative gas import routes via the Balkans if the Ukraine-Russia transit agreement is not extended. Currently, Moldova sources its natural gas from Energocom and Gazprom, with the Russian gas supplied to Transnistria in exchange for electricity. Moldova’s Cuciurgan power station, which generates 80% of the country’s electricity, plays a key role in the country’s energy supply.
