Moldova turns to Poland for gas amid tensions with Russia
ABC News
Moldova has turned to a non-Russian natural gas supplier for the first time as the former Soviet republic seeks to avert a looming gas shortage this winter after failing to renew a long-term supply contract with Moscow
BUCHAREST, Romania -- Moldova has turned to a non-Russian natural gas supplier for the first time as the former Soviet republic seeks to avert a looming gas shortage this winter after failing to renew a long-term supply contract with Moscow.
On Tuesday, Moldova received a million cubic meters of gas from Poland in a move aimed at diversifying its energy supply following years of strong Russian influence over the small European nation of 3.5 million people.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu posted online Wednesday that the European Commission has pledged 60 million euros ($70 million) to help the country with its gas crisis, and she thanked Commission President Ursula von de Leyen for her support.
Russia had supplied all of Moldova's natural gas until September, when efforts to clinch a renewed deal with Russia's state-owned gas company Gazprom fell through.
