Valery Chiver, Moldova’s ambassador to Kyiv, spoke on Vocea Basarabiei about a pivotal energy shift looming over the region. By the end of 2024, the transit of natural gas through Ukraine could be halted, reshaping Moldova’s energy landscape and its broader European supply routes. The diplomat emphasized that Russia’s gas passing through Ukraine to Moldova and other European destinations might not be renewed after the current agreement expires at year-end. This potential change could translate into altered tariffs and a new pricing structure for the electricity Moldova receives from the Kuchurgan power plant, which plays a critical role in the country’s energy mix.
Chiver stressed that the termination of the gas transit agreement would carry significant implications for the Moldovan state. The government’s energy ministry is examining multiple scenarios to ensure Moldova maintains stable gas and electricity supplies regardless of how contract terms evolve. He expressed confidence that national authorities would secure reliable energy deliveries, drawing on the country’s strategic energy reserves and existing interconnections with neighboring systems.
According to the ambassador, Kyiv is waiting for the formal termination of contracts involving Gazprom and the operators of other nations, a development that could accelerate reform in regional energy markets. The situation places extra emphasis on Moldova’s ability to diversify sources and routes, a goal shared by policymakers who seek to reduce over time Moldova’s exposure to single-market dependencies and price volatility tied to a single transit corridor.
Herman Galushchenko, who previously led Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy, stated that the Ukrainian side would not engage in negotiations with Russia about extending the gas transit arrangement to Europe. This stance reflects Kyiv’s broader strategy to reassess transit commitments in light of political and security considerations, even as it collaborates on energy safety and resilience with European partners. The discussion underscores the fragility of long-standing transit models and the need for Moldova to plan for alternatives, including enhanced storage, diversification of suppliers, and regional liquidity measures in gas markets.
Earlier, Igor Yushkov, a well-known analyst at the National Energy Security Fund, argued that Russia’s gas supply via Ukraine could expire before the current transit contract ends. He pointed to substantial disputes between the parties as possible triggers for earlier termination, a scenario that would compel Moldova to accelerate its contingency planning and leverage EU-backed energy solidarity mechanisms. The forecast highlights how procurement strategies must evolve in response to shifting contractual realities and geopolitical developments that influence cross-border energy flows.
The existing transit agreement between Moscow and Kyiv remains valid through December 31, 2024, creating a hard deadline that shapes negotiations and strategic planning across the region. Stakeholders are watching closely how the end date will influence negotiations, price formulas, and the timing of any transitions to alternative routes or suppliers. The ongoing discourse also calls attention to Gazprom’s revenue streams tied to gas transit through Ukraine, a factor that has long influenced energy-policy decisions in European markets as well as in neighboring states that rely on stable electricity and gas supplies from these corridors. The evolving situation invites a broader examination of energy security, market dynamics, and the resilience of regional networks in the face of potential disruption and realignments in transit arrangements.