Nov 28 (Reuters) - Russian state gas producer Gazprom
withdrew a threat to reduce gas supplies to Moldova
from Monday but said it reserved the right to lower or halt
flows in future if Moldova failed to make agreed payments.
Last week, Gazprom accused Ukraine of withholding gas
supplies which pass through the country on the way to Moldova -
something Kyiv denied - and said it could start reducing those
flows from Monday.
In its latest statement, Gazprom said that Moldovan natural
gas company Moldovagaz had paid for gas deliveries in November,
adding that it had received payment for what it called gas
destined for Moldovan customers but which remained in Ukraine.
However, Gazprom accused Moldova of "regular violations" of
payment obligations and added: "Gazprom reserves the right to
lower or to fully suspend supplies in case of payment
violation."
European gas prices rose last week on Gazprom's threat to
cut flows to Moldova, as the supply route via Ukraine is the
last functioning Russian gas corridor to Europe.
Gas supplies are a constant source of tension between Russia
and Moldova. Gazprom says the former Soviet republic owes it
about $9 billion, a debt that has accumulated over decades
because of non-payments by the breakaway Moldovan region of
Transdniestria, where about 1,200 Russian troops are stationed.
Moldova refuses to recognise the debt as its own.
Transdniestria currently uses about 40% of the gas imported by
the country, but does not pay the Moldovan government for it and
refuses to discuss the issue.
Vadim Ceban, head of Moldovagaz, said on Monday that the
advance November gas bill had doubled to $42 million - which he
said Moldovagaz had paid - amid increased gas demand by
Transdniestria.
In a sign that flows were uninterrupted, Gazprom said
separately on Monday that it will ship 42.2 million cubic metres
of gas to Europe via Ukraine on Monday, only slightly down from
Sunday's level of 42.6 mcm. Both figures include flows to
Moldova.
Russia used to supply about 40% of Europe's natural gas,
mostly through pipelines, but most of those exports have been
halted since the war began.
Moldova and Ukraine last week accused Russia of using gas
supplies as an instrument of blackmail, an accusation Moscow
rejects.
(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Mark Trevelyan and David
Evans)