Ukraine is ready to supply natural gas to the Republic of Moldova, and geographical proximity could offer an advantage in terms of delivery costs, Ukrainian Ambassador to Chișinău Paun Rahovei said during a programme on Vocea Basarabiei. The diplomat revealed that the authorities in Kyiv and Chișinău have already held discussions on energy cooperation, including the possibility of natural gas supplies, Bani.md reports.
Asked whether the Republic of Moldova could approach Kyiv to purchase gas, the ambassador gave a categorical answer: “Absolutely,” adding that Ukraine is open to cooperation in this area.
“What do you think: would it be cheaper to bring gas from several thousand kilometres away or from just a few dozen kilometres away?” Rahovei said, suggesting that geographical proximity could reduce transportation costs.
The diplomat also referred to the recent visit to the Republic of Moldova by Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Denys Shmyhal, who discussed expanding energy cooperation with his Moldovan counterpart, Dorin Junghietu. According to the ambassador, the meeting was productive, with several concrete aspects of bilateral cooperation discussed.
However, Rahovei noted that no decision has yet been made regarding potential gas purchases from Ukraine, and the commercial terms remain to be determined by the parties involved.
The ambassador pointed out that, despite the war and repeated attacks on energy infrastructure, Ukraine continues to export electricity to the Republic of Moldova.
“Perhaps I will surprise you, but I want to point out that Ukraine continues to export electricity to the Republic of Moldova, even under wartime conditions,” the diplomat said.
According to him, the interconnection of Ukraine’s, Moldova’s, and Romania’s energy systems within the European network makes it possible to manage crisis situations more effectively and identify alternative supply solutions.
“We must not fall prey to those trying to convince us that everything is very bad. There are teams of professionals on both the Moldovan and Ukrainian sides that are managing this sector very efficiently,” Rahovei stressed.
At the same time, the ambassador acknowledged that Ukraine’s energy situation remains extremely difficult, as critical infrastructure continues to be targeted by Russia, potentially triggering further emergencies.
Another advantage highlighted by the diplomat is Ukraine’s underground natural gas storage capacity, which is among the largest in Europe. These facilities can also be used to store gas purchased by the Republic of Moldova on international markets.