Kremlin says gas deal with Moldova is commercial matter

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that Russian gas sales to Moldova were a commercial matter between Russian energy giant Gazprom and the former Soviet republic, but gas was being delivered and needed to be paid for.

Kremlin-controlled Gazprom has rejected Moldova's request to reschedule its January gas payment, forcing the country to introduce a state of emergency in its energy sector, the Moldovan government said on Wednesday.