Russian energy giant to suspend gas exports to Moldova

Russian energy giant Gazprom said on Dec 28 that it would suspend gas exports to Moldova from 5am GMT (1pm Singapore time) on Jan 1 owing to unpaid debt by the country, which is bracing itself for severe power cuts.

It said the company reserved the right to take any action, including terminating the supply contract with Moldova.

Russia supplies Moldova with about two billion cubic metres of gas a year. It is piped via Ukraine to the breakaway region of Transnistria, where it is used to generate cheap power that is sold to government-controlled parts of Moldova.

Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean condemned the Russian decision. The move is a precursor to a total shutdown of Russian gas exports via Ukraine and to Europe - where it flows further to Slovakia, Austria, Hungary and Italy - once a current transit deal with Ukraine expires on Dec 31. Moldova will be hit the hardest by the shutdown.