Meanwhile, the U.S. has extended the authorization for Lukoil’s overseas gas station operations until December 13.
Moldovan Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu said that the oil terminal at the Chisinau airport is a strategic facility and the state is obliged to guarantee uninterrupted supplies of kerosene. On November 12, the government signed an agreement with Lukoil on the transfer of the terminal to the management on a free-of-charge basis. As early as November 13, the acceptance and transfer of the property took place.
“The oil terminal at the airport is a strategic asset of the state, so it is important that the supply of kerosene for the aviation sector is carried out without interruptions. To this end, the working group for fuel supply, together with the SE “Chisinau International Airport”, has prepared and implemented a management plan to ensure that fuel supplies take place without disruptions. Accordingly, on November 12, 2025, a comodate agreement was concluded with Lukoil on the transfer of the airport assets to the management on a free-of-charge basis, and during November 13, 2025, the process of acceptance and transfer of the assets was carried out. The comodat agreement allows us to ensure the supply of kerosene and is an emergency solution to maintain the stability of fuel supply to aircraft in risky conditions, as from November 21 (earlier this date was defined by the U.S. authorities as the date of termination of the company’s operations – editor’s note) Lukoil may not be able to supply and operate,” the minister explained.
He noted that Moldova has already agreed with the Romanian company on fuel supplies for the next period:
“During this period, the Chisinau International Airport will be responsible for the operation of the oil terminal. The next stage will be the buyout of assets and airport infrastructure owned by Lukoil by the airport”.
As for the gas stations owned by Lukoil, the minister said that “the Moldovan market today is diversified: there are several operators with different logistics supply chains – both overland from Romania and through the port of Giurgiulesti. Accordingly, the market is supplied with fuel and stocks are stable”.
Bogdan Ivan Gruia, Romania’s energy minister, said that Bucharest is ready to take control of Lukoil’s Romanian assets to ensure compliance with international sanctions and stability of the energy system.
“Romania should take control of the company to guarantee the full implementation of international measures, protect the jobs of 5,000 employees and ensure the stability and security of the national energy system,” the minister said.
At the same time, he announced the preparation of legislative changes that – “on the one hand, will ensure full compliance with the sanctions regime imposed by the United States, and on the other hand, will allow to maintain the continuity of the Petrotel Ploieşti refinery and the trade in oil products, without jeopardizing the supply of fuel to the domestic market.”
“I say unequivocally: I will not ask for an extension of the deadline set by the American authorities – November 21. Moreover, I will support the extension and uniform application of the sanctions initiated by the USA at the level of the entire European Union,” the minister emphasized.
Lukoil owns 320 gas stations in Romania and 100 in Moldova.
Meanwhile, on Friday, November 14, late in the evening, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control extended until December 13, 2025 the authorization for operations related to the work, maintenance and purchases at Lukoil’s foreign gas stations.
