Russia to stop supplying gas to Moldova, a pro-western country, from next year

Russian state-owned energy company Gazprom has decided to stop supplying gas to Moldova, which takes a "pro-Western" route, from January 1 next year.

Gazprom announced on the 28th local time that Moldovan state-owned company "Moldova Gas" had made the notification due to overdue payments.

Moldova relies on Russia for 90% of its total natural gas use and receives Russian gas through gas pipelines through Ukraine.

"This decision reaffirms Russia's intention to take away light and heat in the middle of winter," Moldova Prime Minister Doreen Lecian said on social media, accusing Russia of using energy as a political weapon.

Moldova then said it diversified its gas sources and stressed that it was ready to deal with all situations.

Earlier, Ukraine decided not to extend its gas pipeline use contract, which ends this year, to tighten Russia's funding sources.

As a result, several European countries that received Russian gas via Ukraine have been put on alert, and Moldova is considered the hardest hit among them, Reuters said.