Recent statements from Moldova’s political sphere suggest growing tension over energy payments and the future of Russian gas supplies. Igor Dodon, the former president, has claimed that the current government intends to move to a course where Moldovagaz would be prevented from making payments to Gazprom. He shared these concerns on his Telegram channel, framing the issue as a deliberate financial maneuver by the authorities.
Dodon argues that the existing gas tariff structure does not cover the true purchase price of the fuel. He suggests that the move is intentional, aiming to block Moldovagaz from fulfilling its gas payment obligations to Gazprom, which would create a pressure point in the country’s energy security and budgeting cycles.
According to the ex-president, Maia Sandu, Moldova’s president, together with Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Spinu, allegedly prefer a scenario in which Russia would suspend gas deliveries to Chisinau. In that case, the Moldovan side would be forced to source natural gas through other channels at market prices, which Dodon characterizes as unpredictable and potentially inflated. He warned that various arrangements could be mixed under the surface, complicating market clarity and price certainty for consumers and the state alike.
Earlier in the month, Vadim Cheban, chairman of Moldovagaz, announced that starting August 1 the price of Russian gas delivered to Moldova would be raised by about 50 percent. He stated that the tariff would jump from roughly $980 per thousand cubic meters to approximately $1,458.50, a spike that would tighten the financial position of Moldovagaz and its ability to meet ongoing payment obligations to Gazprom.
Cheban also asserted that Moldovagaz would struggle to settle its August gas payments to Gazprom, emphasizing the company’s limited liquidity. The communication highlighted a looming challenge for the energy sector in Moldova, with potential downstream effects for households, industry, and public services that rely on stable gas supply and pricing. Observers note that such developments could intensify debates around energy policy, supplier diversification, and government intervention in the energy market, especially amid broader regional energy security concerns.