Moldova Accuses Russia Of Energy Blackmail

Moldova said on Wednesday that Russia had sent no signals that it would stop supplying it with gas next month but that it was ready for any scenario because Russia was using energy resources as "a tool of blackmail."

State-run Russian gas company Gazprom accused Ukraine on Tuesday of keeping gas supplies destined for Moldova and that it could from November 28 start reducing gas supplies to Moldova that pass through Ukraine.

Ukraine has denied withholding Russian gas meant for Moldova.

Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita said; "There are no signals that Russia will stop supplying gas to Moldova in December. But the government is ready for any scenario, as Russia continues to use energy resources as a tool of blackmail."

Dismissing Gazprom's accusations, Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Spinu said; "Gazprom accuses Ukraine and Moldova of something that is not happening."

Moldova relies exclusively on Gazprom for gas imports and is largely dependent on Russian energy.