What is happening with Lukoil assets in the Republic of Moldova / “We align ourselves with American sanctions”

The Republic of Moldova wants to take over the state administration of the resources of the Lukoil company, which is under American sanctions. The Russian company controls 33% of the Moldovan diesel market and 50% of the gasoline market.

The authorities of the Republic of Moldova submitted an offer to purchase the Lukoil warehouse in the Airport, to take over the company's infrastructure and resources. Starting from November 21, Lukoil will no longer operate in the Republic of Moldova, which means that it will no longer be able to sell gasoline, diesel and kerosene. This is a consequence of the sanctions imposed in October by the US and the freezing of the company's accounts and assets.

It owns 50% of the Moldovan gasoline market

Currently, Chisinau International Airport is exclusively dependent on kerosene from Lukoil. The Russian company also provides 33% of the Moldovan diesel market and 50% of the gasoline needs of the Republic of Moldova. Lukoil owns a number of gas stations, supplies the oil market with resources and is the owner of the private property right of storage, supply and loading of aircraft.

At the same time, the Council for the Examination of Investments of Importance for the State Security of the Republic of Moldova took the decision to refuse Lukoil's offer to dispose of its assets and sell the airport infrastructure to another company, on the grounds that that company cannot be accepted by the State of the Republic of Moldova in terms of national security. Thus, it is proposed that the state take over the company's resources, which are under sanctions.

“The council has submitted an offer to purchase the Lukoil warehouse in the Airport, so that the state can take over the company's infrastructure and resources. The deadline for this offer is November 17, considering that from November 21 Lukoil will be unable to operate. Moldova aligns itself with the American sanctions.

At the same time, as other EU countries have done, we requested a temporary waiver from the US to operate the company under sanctions until we resolve the problem, so that the supply of oil resources of the Republic of Moldova is not disrupted, and the daily lives of people are not affected. At the same time, we are having ongoing discussions with Bulgaria and Romania, including Rompetrol, to ensure the necessary gasoline, diesel and kerosene”, explained the Minister of Energy from Chisinau, Dorin Junghietu.

In late October, US President Donald Trump announced sanctions against the two largest Russian oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil. The decision came after a new Trump-Putin summit was blocked in Budapest and amid a lack of progress in peace talks in Ukraine.

At the same time, the European Union announced the 19th package of sanctions, aimed at reducing Russia's energy revenues and including: bringing forward for 2027 the ban on imports of liquefied natural gas, sanctioning more than 100 ships from Russia's “shadow fleet”, travel restrictions for Russian diplomats suspected of espionage.