Gazprom threatens to cut off gas to Moldova within 48 hours

Russia’s state-owned company Gazprom has told Moldova it will cut off gas if it does not pay tens of millions of dollars for final supplies.

The head of the company, Moldovagaz, Vadim Ceban, has confirmed that the state-owned energy company in this country has received such a notification from Gazprom, saying that the amount to be paid goes to 73.5 million US dollars.

“We are constantly working with the Government to solve this problem without reaching the deadline. I hope we will be able to solve this problem,” Ceban told Reuters.

Last month, Moldova declared a state of emergency and began buying gas from countries other than Russia, as its contract with Gazprom, Europe’s main supplier of natural gas, expired at the end of September, and both sides have failed to agree on a new deal at other prices.

But during November , the Moldovan government and Gazprom announced a new pricing formula and a five-year deal to enable gas supplies.

Some observers have said that Moscow is using its energy against Moldova after the latter elected pro-Western President Maia Sandu last year.

This decision was opposed by its predecessor, supported by Russia, Igor Dodon.

Russia has denied the allegations, saying the higher prices have only a commercial basis and reflect global markets.