DISINFO: Negotiations between Gazprom and Moldova are purely commercial and not political
SUMMARY
There is no political aspect in the negotiations between Moldova and Gazprom on natural gas. These negotiations are purely commercial as there is an offer by Gazprom, while at the same time the Moldovan authorities have a debt towards the Russian company.
RESPONSE
Disinformation about the topic of energy, accompanying a Russian policy of pressure on the Moldovan government.
Gazprom is a Russian state company and was the monopolist supplier of natural gas to Moldova until recently. In October 2021, Moldova’s government announced it had bought a million cubic metres of natural gas from Poland after Chisinau failed to agree on a new energy deal with the traditional supplier, calling it "the first purchase of gas from alternative sources” in the history of independent Moldova. The EU mobilised financial support to assist Moldova through the gas crisis and the negotiations for a new gas delivery contract which eventually was concluded with Gazprom on 29 October..
As the Financial Times reported, in negotiations in October 2021, Gazprom told Moldovan officials it would reduce the price if the country was prepared to amend its tariff-free trade deal with the EU, said people briefed on the discussions. Gazprom also wanted Moldova to delay the implementation of EU rules that require gas markets to be liberalised and allow more competition, the people said.
Gazprom abruptly increased prices for gas for Moldova. Some experts say Moscow has boosted prices as a reprisal against Moldova for electing pro-Western President Maia Sandu last year.
See also "The new pro-European government of Moldova introduces censorship on Russian TV channels" and other disinformation cases on Moldova.