Russian official responds to Moldova’s gas allegations, vows swift retaliation to EU sanctions

Spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova has said that Moldova should pay for the gas it has consumed, rather than making unfounded claims about pressure from the Russian Federation.

Zakharova made these remarks during a briefing, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

"Despite Moldova’s neutral status, its authorities continue openly flirting with NATO. Last week, President Maia Sandu visited Brussels, where she ritualistically complained about Russia’s gas blackmail. It’s time to pay for what you’ve used, and stop inventing stories about being blackmailed by anyone," she noted.

Since October 2023, Gazprom, which was previously the sole gas supplier to Moldova, has reduced its daily gas delivery volume by 30 per cent. The company explained this reduction as a result of technical issues related to the limitation of transit through Ukraine.

However, Moldovan authorities, refusing to acknowledge a $700 million debt to Gazprom for previous deliveries, accused the Russian gas giant of blackmail. As a result, last winter, the right bank of the Dniester fully shifted to purchasing fuel from European suppliers, while Russian gas was redirected to Moldova’s State Power Plant in Transnistria, which is owned by the Russian company Inter RAO. This plant provides about 80 per cent of Moldova’s electricity needs. 

Moreover, Zakharova noted that the sanctions package imposed by the EU has no legal basis, and therefore, Russia's retaliatory measures will follow swiftly. 

"These sanctions are directed not only against Russian economic operators and public figures but also against foreign ones. Brussels continues harming our country with decisions that, in essence, pose an additional threat to global energy security and the stability of international economic relations," she said. 

At the same time, she added that Russia would certainly consider the 15th sanctions package, which is deemed unlawful. Russian authorities will analyze the restrictions in terms of the damage they cause to Russia's economic interests.

By Naila Huseynova