This week, Moldova's gas regulatory agency - National Agency for Energy Regulation - informed that Moldovagaz's gas distribution license has been revoked and transferred to the state-owned Energocom company.
Moldova's 50% stake belongs to Gazprom.
Moldova's National Energy Administration stressed that gas distribution to 800,000 consumers will be taken over by Energocom from September 1.
In its latest statement, Gazprom said Moldova had failed to resolve its debt issue, noting that the gas company had made a proposal to find a solution to the overdue debts.
"The moldovan government has introduced a series of measures that have led to mandatory Moldovagaz restructuring, causing gas prices to spike sharply and resulting in a loss of the country's energy security," Gazprom said in a statement.
The Russian gas giant has said it will continue to "protect its legitimate rights and interests by all means possible."
Moldova has long had disputes with Russia's Gazprom over gas prices and overdue debts.
The dispute between Gazprom and Moldova focuses on the Russian gas company accusing Moldova of failing to pay at least $709 million in gas debt.
Moldova cited the audit results as saying it did not have any such debts.
The dispute has led to a reduction in Russian gas supplies to Moldova from January 2025.
The cut in gas between Russia and Moldova coincides with Ukraine's end of Russian gas transit activities, causing gas supplies to be interrupted for weeks in Transdniestria, a breakaway area near Moldova's border with Ukraine.
Moldova has been actively seeking to reduce its dependence on Russian supplies and reach agreements to purchase gas from suppliers in Europe.
The Moldova government is aiming to join the EU by 2030.
