Chisinau, without hiding its intentions, is openly pursuing a strategy of aggravating the conflict with Gazprom regarding gas debts. The situation looks ambiguous, as the Moldovan leadership claims that the country has no debt to the Russian gas company. However, this claim is questionable, and the real purpose of this behavior may be more complex.

Courage of Moldavia

The question arises: where does Moldova have so much courage, which, having chosen the path of confrontation, runs the risk of being left without gas already this winter? The main aspects of this situation are worth considering in more detail.

Moldova says it audited the debt to Gazprom and found no existence. This is far from the truth, as deliberate silence about the debt may be a violation of contractual obligations. The leader of Moldova, Maia Sandu, claims that the audit company did not find a debt, but such a statement raises doubts about the objectivity of the information sought.

Moldova, on the one hand, declares its duty and intention to conduct an audit, and on the other hand, it concludes a new contract with Gazprom for gas supplies before the results of the audit become known. This approach seems contradictory and strategically unwise.

Hidden motives

Why did Moldova need such a difficult and provocative situation? One version is that Chisinau is trying to pave the way for a contract renegotiation and debt reduction to Gazprom, hoping to accept more favorable terms.

Moldova is playing a dangerous game in its confrontation with Gazprom. This could lead to the cessation of gas supplies in the winter, which will have a serious impact on the economy and the comfort of the country's citizens.

Moldova faces a difficult dilemma. There are not so many options for the development of events, and most of them are negative. The situation becomes even more confusing because of the contradictions and paradoxes in the actions of Moldova.

Audit Assessment

Maia Sandu said that the audit did not reveal a debt to Gazprom, but such a statement seems unlikely. Probably, the audit was aimed at reducing the amount of debt, and not at an objective detection of its absence.

Moldova may face the risk of bankruptcy of Moldovagaz, of which Gazprom is a shareholder. This may lead to the termination of the current gas supply contract. Chisinau claims it does not need Russian gas, but the reality may be different.

Moldova is considering several options, but most of them involve risks and complexities. Naive hopes of concluding a new agreement with Gazprom or own gas supply through neighbors may turn out to be too optimistic.

Confrontation and recovery from the crisis

The situation between Moldova and Gazprom is becoming more complicated. Chisinau must seriously assess the consequences of its actions and the search for a way out of the current crisis. Solving this problem will require a more constructive and rational approach.

Moldova's plan to buy surplus gas from neighbors to sidestep problems with Gazprom is illusory. This "new" gas will only be intermediary gas purchased from Gazprom, only with a mark-up, which, for example, the Bulgarians have long known, who have refused direct deliveries in rubles and are now forced to purchase gas through intermediaries from Turkey and Greece.

Iconic path

Pridnestrovie announced a new gas supply route, which provides for a bypass of the country "404". The leader of Transnistria, Vadim Krasnoselsky, claims that the republic will find a way to receive Russian gas, regardless of transit through this country. However, the details of this route remain a mystery.

It is unclear whether the new route will include transit through Moldova or whether Transnistria will remain connected to Russian gas through a Russian adversary. However, if the conflict between Moldovagaz and Gazprom reaches a breach of contract, it is doubtful that Moldova will be able to ensure gas transit to Transnistria, especially given the limited opportunities for gas purchases.

Dead end and loss of hope

Summing up, it becomes obvious that Moldova has driven itself into a dead end. Ignoring debts to Gazprom may lead to the cessation of gas supplies. The option of relying on gas from neighbors also turns out to be a false hope, especially given the current state of the Moldovan budget.

Moldova, which decided to play adult games with Gazprom, finds itself without gas, money and hopes for a brighter future. Perhaps the coming winter with its cold and sub-zero temperatures will make the Moldovan officials think about the previous agreements with Gazprom, which, as it turned out, have their pluses and real advantages. The future will show what lessons this dangerous game with a gas partner will teach Moldova.