The Kremlin continues to turn the gas into a weapon. Moldova was already scared and it’s now Ukraine’s turn, well-known Ukrainian opinion maker Vitaly Portnikov says in an article that is quoted by IPN.

Even if the preliminary extension of the contract between Gazprom and Moldovagaz for a five-year period was based on the price calculation formula proposed by the Moldovan side and an audit of Moldova’s debt was accepted, as was the agreeing of a debt settlement plan, Vitaly Portnikov considers the negotiations showed that the Kremlin uses the gas as a weapon.

He noted the fact that the subject caused a virtual controversy between European official Josep Borrell and Russian official Dmitry Peskov shows that this is not a dispute based on energy subjects.

Things become clearer if we compare the different approaches of Gazprom to the contracts with Hungary and Moldova. In the first case, it was proposed an agreement for 15 years on condition that the shipments avoid the Ukrainian gas transmission system. In only several days of the signing of the contract, Gazprom stopped pumping gas to Hungary through the Ukrainian piping system even if it continues to pay for the transportation of the volumes agreed in the Russian-Ukrainian gas transit contract. This is purely political payment free from any energy aspect.

In the case of Moldova, the approach consists in intimidation. Moscow not only once said that this country will pay for President Maia Sandu’s participation in the Crimea Platform summit. The freshest statement in this regard was made by the Chairwoman of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko in a meriting with Moldovan Speaker Igor Grosu, when the talks between Moldova and Gazprom were in full swing.

The Moldovan government was intimidated not only with the debt issue. Unlike Hungary, the signing of a log-term contract with Moldova was initially refused. A one-year agreement was proposed, but a five-year deal was ultimately struck. Unlike Hungary, Moldova was offered a stock exchange price for the shipped gas. Simultaneously, the Russia media reports made it clear that the close relations with Ukraine do no good to Moldova and the best option is to receive gas through the Turkish Torrent even if a branch through Romania is needed for the purpose.

This way, the Kremlin uses Moldova to show that energy preferences can be obtained only by consenting to take part in the creation of conditions of pressure on Kiev. If not, you will face the debt stranglehold, a shortage of gas, worsening of the social situation and an economic crisis. This is the formula of intimidation, concluded the expert.