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The Russian giant Gazprom put the European nation in trouble, after a conflict caused by a millionaire debt that Moldova is unaware of, and for which it threatened to cut off its supplies. This comes after a series of failed negotiations to renew the concession, in the midst of an energy crisis in the old continent and just when Russia wants to increase its supremacy in gas distribution in Europe.
The conflicts that revolve around gas between Russia and the European Union had Moldova as their first victim, after the country had to declare itself in an emergency situation due to supply shortages and in relation to the conflict with the colossal Russian company Gazprom , who threatened to cut off this service in December, if he did not pay an onerous debt.
This gas giant was Russia’s best tool for, after the fall of the Soviet Union, keeping its neighbors under influence and generating a bond of dependency with them, with which to pressure them. And in this mechanism, the most drowned is Moldova, one of the poorest nations on the continent.
The company’s spokesman, Sergei Kupriánov, said there is no “policy” on this issue: “You have to pay on time for the product received, Gazprom is a share company and cannot work at a loss.” And he added that Moldova “has caused the crisis with its own hands.”
Although the Kremlin took a more conciliatory stance towards the EU, the consortium decided to tighten Moldova despite being in favor of forging long-term contracts, and not short and temporary, as proposed by Belgium.
However, the large debt that Moldova has with suppliers generated a conflict of complex resolution. The country is accused of not paying 433 million dollars that would amount to 709 million for the arrears.
Thus, Gazprom does not want to renew his contract – which ended in September – until his account is settled. According to Kupriánov, next December 1 is the deadline to pay the figure and arrange a new contract. If not, it will cut off the gas pumping.
The situation in Moldova is very delicate, since it has only been able to cover two thirds of the gas needs for this October and the negotiations to extend the agreement recently failed.
Moldova ignores the debt and seeks alternative supply routes
Moldovan Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilița assured that her government does not have a historical debt with Gazprom and that, while the situation is clarified, negotiations should continue outside of this matter.
The representative of the Russian Government who was at the initial dialogue table was Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak, who was the most enthusiastic member of the rapprochement between President Vladimir Putin and then-Moldovan President Igor Dodon, a pro-Russia politician.
However, since the current president Maia Sandu, more pro-European, took office, the diplomatic relationship between both nations has become more rigid due to the constant requests for the withdrawal of Russian troops from the separatist region of Transnistria.
With the negotiations bogged down with the Russian company, Moldova is looking for gas supplies and accelerated talks with Ukraine, Romania and Poland to get supplies that can end the crisis.
Ukraine, which is at odds with Russia regarding the transit of gas along the old continent, showed predisposition to help Moldova, after the Defense and National Security Council reported that the Government will evaluate helping the neighboring country.
The request was for 15 million cubic meters of gas, according to Andréi Guerus, the head of the Energy Committee. From Kiev they want that sum to be returned when the winter ends.
However, the Ukrainian newspaper ‘Epravda’, citing a government source, already assured that the Ukrainian energy company, Naftogaz, and its Moldovan equivalent Energocom signed a framework agreement for the supply of up to 700 million cubic meters of gas, in case of need.
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