Chisinau may lower the level of diplomatic relations with Moscow

Chisinau has decided to nationalize Moldovagaz, 51% of which is owned by Gazprom, and the Romanian structure will take the vacant place. The National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) of Moldova has warned Moldovagaz JSC that it is necessary to separate the gas transmission networks by July 31 of this year, otherwise the company’s license will be revoked. Former Moldovan ambassador to Russia Anatol Tsaranu told NG that Gazprom in Chisinau is regarded as an agent of Kremlin influence and they want to get rid of it. The politician predicts further deterioration of relations between the two countries, not excluding a diplomatic rupture.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova (RM) Dorin Rechan said that it was time to nationalize Moldovagaz back in 2023.

Then the head of the Moldovan government stated that it was necessary to “return the stolen assets to the state,” first of all, the Moldovagaz enterprise, the main shareholder of which is the Russian Gazprom concern. The statement was made after Gazprom announced that it would stop supplying gas to the region due to the fact that Chisinau refuses to recognize Moldovagaz’s debt ($700 million) and does not fulfill obligations under the current contract. Judging by the warning from the National Energy Regulatory Agency, the time for nationalization has come.

ANRE ordered Moldovagaz to complete the procedure for allocating gas transmission networks (GTS) to Moldovatransgaz (a subsidiary of Moldovagaz) by July 31, 2025 instead of September 30, 2026, as previously agreed. The agency’s press release emphasizes that if Moldovagaz does not complete the separation procedure by July 31 this year, its license to supply natural gas will be revoked, and ANRE will appoint another supplier who will be obligated to supply gas to consumers at regulated prices.

“This decision was made in the context of the commitments undertaken by the Republic of Moldova to the European Union within the framework of the joint strategy for energy independence and sustainability of the country signed on February 4, 2025. Based on it, the Moldovan authorities have committed themselves to permanently eliminate any form of dependence on natural gas from the Russian Federation and accelerate the country’s integration into the European energy market,” ANRE said in a press release.

Moldovagaz, in turn, announced that it would inform Gazprom about ANRE’s decision. “The company’s further actions regarding gas transportation assets, including the completion of the certification process for the operator of the country’s gas transportation system, Moldovatransgaz LLC, will be taken by the main shareholders of Moldovagaz JSC, represented by Gazprom PJSC and the Public Property Agency,” Vadim Cheban, acting head of Moldovagaz, wrote on his Telegram channel.

However, regardless of the decisions of Gazprom and other Moldovagaz shareholders, everything has already been decided. Earlier it was reported that the Moldovan GTS was leased to the Romanian company Vestmoldtransgaz on the basis of a law adopted in July 2022, according to which Moldovatransgaz (a subsidiary of Moldgaz) He was obliged to submit documents to ANRE for certification and confirmation of separation from Moldovagaz. In this regard, the ANRE noted that the obligation to separate the operators of natural gas transportation systems is a requirement of the EU’s Third Energy Package.

Publication Noi.md At that time, it was reported that official Chisinau had transferred the gas transportation system to a Romanian structure in order to “begin the active bankruptcy of Moldovagaz JSC and oust Gazprom from the country.” At the same time, it was noted that “in bankruptcy conditions, all claims against an economic agent, including debts, are frozen.” Sergey Tofilat, an economic expert and member of the Board of directors of Moldovagaz JSC, admitted that the Moldovan government would sell Moldova’s gas networks to a Romanian operator who had leased them for five years. “I think Gazprom may lose its shares in Moldovagaz JSC in the near future,” he said.

The leader of the Social Democratic Party of the Republic of Moldova, Viktor Shelin, told NG earlier that the transfer of Moldovan gas pipelines to Romanians presupposes the bankruptcy of Moldovagaz JSC with the subsequent ousting of the Russian concern from Moldova. According to him, “Moldova will be completely independent from Russian gas, as well as from Russian electricity.” Which, in fact, has already happened.

“The Moldovan consumer has already been accustomed to the fact that gas is expensive. In addition, they explain to him that receiving gas from the Russian Federation means supporting the conflict in Ukraine,” Viktor Shelin explained. He also noted that innovations in the gas industry of the Republic of Moldova will also affect Transnistria.

The former Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to the Russian Federation, Anatol Tsaranu, explained to NG that the situation around Moldovagaz is a consequence of the deterioration of relations between Chisinau and Moscow. He recalled the recent expulsion of Russian diplomats from Moldova and Moldovan diplomats from Russia. Anatol Tsaranu believes that “there is no platform for restoring relations.” “It will only get worse, and a lowering of the level of diplomatic relations is possible. Russian Ambassador Oleg Ozerov has been unable to present his credentials to the President of Moldova for six months. He has letters of accreditation accepted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova. So we can say that he is half accredited in Moldova,” said Tsaranu.

Meanwhile, the bankruptcy of Moldovagaz suits the Government of the Republic of Moldova for another reason.

“The current scheme of Russian gas supplies to Transnistria through a Dubai intermediary and a Swiss company does not meet Moldova’s national interests,” Prime Minister Dorin Rechan recently said at a joint press conference with German Foreign Minister Annalena Burbock during her visit to Chisinau.

According to Rechan, “together with the EU, Moldova has developed a mechanism for gas supplies to the left bank (offering 60 million euros for gas purchases in Europe), but Transnistria refused.”

“The problem is that they cannot make their own decisions without Moscow. The current supply chain is not sustainable. That is why Moldova continues to insist on ensuring a transparent and stable supply chain. What is happening now is not conducive to bringing the shores closer together. And we are working to have clear and transparent agreements,” Rechan said.

It is known that since January 1, due to the termination of the transit of Russian gas through the territory of Ukraine, Gazprom PJSC has stopped gas supplies to Transnistria. Gas supplies to the unrecognized republic were resumed from February 1 to February 10 due to a grant from the European Union for 20 million euros. Since February 11, MET Gas and Energy Marketing AG has been supplying gas to Transnistria. Her services are paid for by JNX General Trading L.L. C from Dubai. The Pridnestrovian administration stated that the payment for gas is carried out at the expense of a loan provided by the Russian Federation.

The gas distribution company Moldovagaz JSC was established in 1999. Gazprom PJSC owns 51% of shares in it, the Public Property Agency of the Republic of Moldova owns 35.33%, Transnistria owns 13.44% of shares, which Tiraspol transferred to Gazprom management, and another 1.23% of shares are held by individuals.