The head of the national gas company of the Republic of Moldova “Moldovagaz”, whose majority shareholder is “Gazprom”, offered to take over the transportation of the Russian giant’s supplies through Ukraine if Kyiv decides not to extend the transit contract, which is expiring. next year, Reuters reports.

Vadym Ceban said in an interview with the TV channel Vocea Bessarabiei on Thursday that Moldova would prefer that this contract be extended, but his company “Moldovagaz” is ready to take over the control of gas transit through Ukraine to Moldova and beyond in any case. other European countries, News.ro reports.

Gazprom controls 50% plus one stake in Moldovagaz, while the Moldovan government owns only 35.6% of the shares and 13% is owned by pro-Russian separatist Transnistria.

“The optimal situation for the Republic of Moldova would be for Ukraine to extend the contract on the transit of Russian gas,” Ceban said.

“If this does not happen, Moldovagaz can transport Gazprom gas through the territory of Ukraine,” he added.

Ukraine’s energy minister said in August that Kyiv had no intention of negotiating an extension of the contract after Russia said it would consider extending the transit contract.

Ukraine does not intend to discuss with Russia the extension of the gas transit contract, which could suspend supplies to Europe

Currently, Moldova does not receive Russian gas and ensures its supply from other European sources. To finance the purchases, Chisinau received assistance from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. But the Transnistrian region depends on Gazprom’s supplies and has accumulated debts of about $10 billion, which Gazprom has not tried to repay.

Cheban noted that if “Moldovagaz” takes control of gas transit through Ukraine, Transnistria will have to pay for the received gas transit – currently it is 5.7 million cubic meters per day.