Russia's Gazprom Says No further Gas Cuts To Moldova

Russia's Sudzha gas pumping station is seen, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009. Russian energy giant Gazprom has threatened to reduce natural gas supplies through the last pipeline heading to Europe via Ukraine, saying the amount it's supplying for Moldova is not ending up in the former Soviet republic. (AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov, File)  

CNN: Russia backtracks on threat to cut gas supply to Moldova via Ukraine  

Russian state gas producer Gazprom withdrew a threat to reduce gas supplies to Moldova from Monday but said it reserved the right to lower or halt flows in future if Moldova failed to make agreed payments. 

Last week, Gazprom accused Ukraine of withholding gas supplies which pass through the country on the way to Moldova — something Kyiv denied — and said it could start reducing those flows from Monday. 

In its latest statement, Gazprom said that Moldovan natural gas company Moldovagaz had paid for gas deliveries in November, adding that it had received payment for what it called gas destined for Moldovan customers but which remained in Ukraine.  

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Update #1: Russian Energy Giant Says No Further Gas Cuts to Moldova (AP)  

Update #2: Russia disrupts gas flow to Moldova (UPI)  

WNU Editor: Moldova's government pro-Western views is an issue with the Kremlin. But it is all about money. Moldova is facing an economic crisis and a government that is dependent on Western aid. They have been late in paying.