Russia’s Gazprom to Halt Gas Supplies to Moldova Starting January 1

Russia’s Gazprom announced on Saturday that it will suspend natural gas supplies to Moldova beginning January 1, 2025, citing unresolved debt disputes. The move intensifies an ongoing energy crisis in the region as Moldova remains under a state of emergency.

Debt Dispute and Contract Breach

Gazprom accused Moldova of failing to settle its debts and fulfill contractual obligations.

“Gazprom will introduce a restriction on natural gas supplies to the Republic of Moldova to zero cubic meters per day from 0500 GMT on January 1, 2025,” the company stated, reserving the right to terminate the supply contract altogether.

This decision follows Moldova’s introduction of a 60-day state of emergency earlier this month, anticipating disruptions in energy supplies.

Regional Implications

Moldova relies heavily on Russian gas, particularly for electricity generated in the separatist region of Transnistria, where a major power station uses Russian gas.

The halt in gas supplies coincides with Kyiv’s announcement that it will block the transit of Russian gas through its territory in the coming days, further exacerbating Eastern Europe’s energy concerns.

Broader Context

The halt reflects escalating tensions between Russia and Eastern Europe over energy security. Several countries in the region are preparing for potential disruptions as they reduce reliance on Russian energy in response to geopolitical pressures and ongoing conflicts.

Gazprom’s actions are expected to worsen the energy security crisis, forcing Moldova and other affected nations to seek alternative sources of energy amid the harsh winter months.