Moldova dispute settled: Gazprom delivers first gas to Moldova under new conditions

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Gas transfer station: "Satisfied" with the results of the negotiations

Photo: SERGEI CHUZAVKOV / AP

After a gas dispute that was initially settled, the Republic of Moldova has been receiving Russian gas on the basis of a new contract since Monday. The Moldovan media reported on Monday, citing the energy company Moldovagaz. The small country bordering Romania and Ukraine will pay the Russian state-owned company Gazprom 450 US dollars per 1,000 cubic meters of gas in November, Moldova's deputy prime minister Andrei Spinu wrote on the Telegram social network. The price could also fall in the future - that depends on the development of the stock exchange price.

This means that Russian gas is now cheaper for the impoverished ex-Soviet republic than it was in October - but still significantly more expensive than last year under a Moldovan government that was friendly to Moscow. Chisinau and Moscow were only able to agree on an extension of the previous contract by five years on Friday evening. In the meantime, Russia had threatened to turn off the gas tap in the middle of the cold season. Moldova declared a month-long state of emergency because of the dramatic situation.

The main point of contention between the two states, besides the price issue, was above all debts, which Russia demanded but Moldova did not recognize as such.

It has now been decided that the debt amount will be checked again in 2022, wrote Spinu.

Moldova's President Maia Sandu told the Russian newspaper Kommersant that she was "satisfied" with the results of the negotiations.

The gas crisis is now over.

Gazprom critics had accused Russia of political intentions in the negotiations with Moldova, which is now pursuing a pro-Western course under President Sandu.

The Kremlin denied this and referred, among other things, to the global rise in gas prices.

mik / dpa