Photo: Gennady Cherkasov
Deputy Head of the Kremlin Administration Dmitry Kozak received a delegation of the Party of Socialists of Moldova today. At the talks, possible concessions from Russia on the issue of gas supplies to Moldova were discussed. However, according to a source who took part in the meeting, the parties failed to reach an agreement.
“The goal of the Moldovan socialists was a request to make additional concessions and compromises on the supply of Russian gas to Moldova,” the source said, adding that representatives of the Moldovan delegation rested on the “youth” and inexperience of the new Moldovan government. They also asked Moscow not to allow the termination of gas supplies, which will lead to an energy collapse and a humanitarian catastrophe in Moldova.
At the same time, the source noted that the arguments in favor of non-market pricing of Russian gas for supplies to Moldova were not convincing. Russia agrees to sign a new long-term gas contract, but only on the basis of European market gas prices. At the same time, the Moldovan side was offered a 25% discount, subject to repayment of the existing debt, and with a large installment plan.
Recall that on September 30, the contract for the supply of Moldovan gas by Gazprom expired, which was signed back in 2008. While negotiations were underway on a new contract, the old one was extended until the end of October. At the same time, the price of gas has increased to $ 790 per thousand cubic meters. This price does not suit Moldova, so there are risks of a complete cessation of supplies. At the same time, Moldova’s debt for gas is $ 700 million.