Moldova seizes Lukoil oil terminal to shield aviation fuel supplies

Moldovan authorities have reached an agreement with Russian oil company Lukoil to transfer the management of the company’s oil terminal to Chișinău International Airport, officials confirmed.

According to Caliber.Az, citing Moldovan media, Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu said the move will ensure a continued supply of aviation kerosene amid international sanctions.

“On 12 November 2025, an agreement was signed with Lukoil to transfer the airport’s assets under management on a gratuitous basis, and on November 13, 2025, the handover of property was completed,” Junghietu explained.

Chișinău International Airport will now oversee the operation of the terminal. Authorities are continuing negotiations to acquire additional Lukoil-owned assets and infrastructure at the airport. In the meantime, a Romanian company has been contracted to supply fuel to the airport temporarily.

The transfer comes after the United States imposed sanctions on Lukoil and its subsidiaries at the end of October, giving the company a one-month deadline to wind down operations abroad. The deadline is set to expire on November 21.

In response, Lukoil announced plans to sell its foreign assets. Oil trader Gunvor was initially considered a potential buyer, but it later withdrew its offer.

By Tamilla Hasanova