Dodon pushes for cheaper Russian gas, invites Tofan to talks
Socialist leader Igor Dodon argues that the Republic of Moldova should purchase gas from the Russian Federation via the TurkStream pipeline, at a price of around $330 per thousand cubic meters. This rate is considerably lower than the current prices on European stock exchanges, which have climbed to approximately $750. However, Prime Minister Vasile Tofan has pointed out that, aside from political issues, logistical challenges make acquiring Russian gas unfeasible.
MP Dodon claims that he has analyzed the arguments of the Government and Energocom regarding the impossibility of resuming imports, but considers them unfounded, citing the capacity of the TurkStream pipeline of 31.5 billion cubic meters annually, of which the Republic of Moldova would require only 600 - 800 million cubic meters.
"Mr. Tofan, Mr. Prime Minister, may not be aware - he said that it is technically not possible to bring gas from the Russian Federation. I want to inform him and I am ready to discuss this topic not only publicly, but also unofficially. I discussed with Mr. Novak (Alexandr Novak - n.r.), Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation for Energy, and he told us that, if we sit down at the Chisinau - Moscow discussion table, we will find the capacities for Turkish Stream, to obtain gas directly from the Russian Federation, which could be, today, much cheaper than the gas that we are going to buy", Dodon declared, before the Parliament session on July 23.
Asked about the conditions imposed by Russia for these lower prices, Dodon denied that these were major political demands.
"We were not asked for our heads, nor half of Chisinau, nor half of the country, as someone speculates. We need to sit down and discuss," said the socialist leader.
According to Dodon, the current increase in gas tariffs is also due to Energocom and the Government not having purchased gas during periods when prices were lower, such as in March and May of this year, when the price was around $500 per thousand cubic meters.
Recently, Prime Minister Vasile Tofan stated on a television show that the Republic of Moldova's return to purchasing natural gas from the Russian Federation is not, at this time, a realistic solution. Tofan argued that, beyond political aspects, there are logistical difficulties regarding bringing Russian gas to the Republic of Moldova. The Prime Minister noted that the transport route through the TurkStream pipeline is being used at full capacity, and Ukraine does not allow the transit of Russian gas to the region.
The Republic of Moldova stopped buying Russian gas after Gazprom unilaterally decided, in 2022, to reduce, in the middle of the cold season, the volumes delivered to the Republic of Moldova, despite a valid contract.
We remind that natural gas could become more expensive by 5.88 lei per cubic meter, up to 20.3 lei, following the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) 's publication of the draft decision on the tariff adjustment. The document provides for a price of 18.7 lei per cubic meter excluding VAT, equivalent to 20.3 lei with VAT included.
Previously, Energocom requested from ANRE a larger increase, of 6.51 lei per cubic meter, which would have brought the final tariff for household consumers to 20.93 lei. The company argued for its request by citing increased natural gas purchase costs and accumulated financial deviations of approximately 106.8 million lei.
According to Energocom, the average gas purchase price, estimated at 423.28 euros per thousand cubic meters for the period January–July 2026, would increase to 623.54 euros per thousand cubic meters for the same quantity in the period August–December.
