Chisinau has not recognized its debt to Gazprom and threatened to sue for stopping gas supplies

Moldova may initiate court proceedings over Gazprom's decision to suspend gas to the republic from January 1. This was announced by Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean on December 28.

"The government will carefully analyze legal options, including an appeal to international arbitration, in order to protect our national interests and seek compensation in connection with the Kremlin's decisions, which will cause economic losses and jeopardize the security of Moldovan citizens," Recean said in a statement published on his Facebook page (owned by Meta, which is recognized as extremist and banned in Russia).

In addition, the Moldovan Prime Minister reiterated that he would not recognize the debt to Gazprom.

On the same day, the Party of Socialists of the republic demanded an urgent convocation of the government in connection with the decision of the Russian company.

On December 28, the press service of Gazprom said that from January 1 it would stop supplies to Moldova because of the country's failure to repay its debts.

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"Gazprom" and "Moldovagaz" signed a five-year contract for gas supplies in the fall of 2021. It stipulated Chisinau's payment of debts for supplies in the past few years. The entire volume was estimated at $709 million, of which Chisinau officially recognizes only $8.6 million.

On November 28, 2024, Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean said on Moldova 1 TV channel that the country "does not have a debt of $709 million to Gazprom". The discussion intensified against the background of Ukraine's intention to stop the transit of Russian gas through its territory. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova advised Moldova to pay for Russian gas and not to invent stories about alleged blackmail by Russia.

Since December 16, a state of emergency regime has been in effect in Moldova due to the possible cessation of Russian gas transit through Ukraine. On December 6, a state of emergency was also introduced in Transnistria due to the situation in the energy sector.

On August 27, 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (whose term of office expired on May 20) said that the country would not extend the gas transit agreement with Russia, which expires at the end of 2024. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on 5 September that Russia was not giving up gas transit through Ukraine. According to the head of state, Gazprom plans to fulfill all its obligations under long-term contracts.