Russia's Gazprom Lifts Threat of Cutting Moldova's Gas Supply

Russia's gas producer Gazprom withdrew its threat to cut gas supplies to Moldova from Monday but said it reserved the right to cut or stop flows in the future if Moldova did not make the agreed payments.

In its latest statement, Gazprom noted that Moldovan natural gas paid for the gas shipments in November, adding that it had received payment for what it described as gas intended for Moldovan customers but which remained in Ukraine.

However, Gazprom accused Moldova of "regular violations" of payment obligations and added, "Gazprom reserves the right to reduce or completely suspend supplies in case of violation of payment."

Vadim Ceban, the head of Moldovagaz, said on Monday that the gas bill submitted for November had doubled to $42 million amid increased demand for gas in Moldova's breakaway region of Transdniestria, where Russian forces are stationed. He said that Moldova paid for this.

In a sign of continuing flows, Gazprom said on Monday pointed out that it would ship 42.2 million cubic meters of gas to Europe via Ukraine on Monday, down only slightly from Sunday's level of 42.6 million cubic meters. Both figures include flows to Moldova.