Moldova has alternative routes for gas supplies to the Transnistrian region in case Ukraine does not renew its gas transit contract with Russia, the Energy Ministry said
Energy Minister Victor Parlicov announced this on the air of the “New Week” program on TV8, noting that so far Ukraine's control over the Sudzha gas metering station in Russia's Kursk region does not create preconditions for stopping gas supplies to the Transnistrian region. According to him, moreover, if Ukraine does not extend the contract for transit through its territory, gas can be transported via alternative routes through Turkey. Nevertheless, the head of the Energy Ministry noted that gas supplies via Turkey will increase the length of the route, which will inevitably lead to an increase in costs, and in this situation the key question will be who will bear these additional costs. At the same time, Victor Parlicov recalled that under the current contract, the costs of gas transportation to the border with Moldova are included in the price and are covered by Gazprom. “Transnistrian people traditionally did not pay for it, so they do not care at what price not to pay. If Gazprom puts conditions that these additional transportation costs should be paid by Moldovagaz, the money will have to be requested from the Transnistrian region. Therefore, coordination is at hand in this situation,” Victor Parlicov explained. He also assured that Moldovagaz has already sent all the necessary requests to the Russian side. “As far as I know, Gazprom has not made a decision on the alternative route. They count that the supplies will continue along the traditional route,” Victor Parlicov concluded. The contract between Gazprom and Naftohaz on gas transit to Western and Central Europe through Ukraine expires at the end of 2024. On August 27, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Kyiv has no plans to extend it. // 10.09.2024 - InfoMarket.
