Council for Examination of Investments Important for State Security submitted bid to acquire Lukoil depot at airport

The Council for the Examination of Investments Important for State Security (CEIISS) has submitted a bid to acquire the Lukoil depot at Chișinău International Airport so that the state can take over the infrastructure and resources of the company. The deadline for this bid is November 17. The announcement was made today by the Ministry of Energy.

The decision comes after the Council decided to refuse Lukoil's offer to divest 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 on the national security dimension."

The actions take place in conditions in which, from November 21, 2025, the Lukoil company, which owns the only depot at the airport, will be unable to operate, namely to supply and ensure gasoline, diesel, and kerosene, due to sanctions imposed in October by the USA and the blocking of the company's accounts and assets.

At the same time, the Ministry of Energy has announced that the Government has requested a temporary waiver from the US to operate the company under sanctions, so that the supply of petroleum resources to the Republic of Moldova is not disrupted.


“Moldova aligns 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 solve the problem, so that the supply of petroleum resources to the Republic of Moldova is not disrupted, and people's daily lives are not affected,” communicated the Ministry of Energy.


Furthermore, the Republic of Moldova is in continuous discussions with Bulgaria and Romania, including the company Rompetrol, to ensure the necessary gasoline, diesel, and kerosene for aircraft operating from Chișinău Airport.


“We will continue to inform as things develop. We assure citizens that all decisions made by the Government and CEIISS are to protect the national interest and the security of the Republic of Moldova,” said the Minister of Energy Dorin Junghietu.


The U.S. Treasury Department recently announced sanctions against major Russian oil companies Lukoil and Rosneft, to reduce Moscow's ability to finance its war effort in Ukraine.

In the Republic of Moldova, Lukoil owns several gas stations, provides resources to the petroleum market, and privately owns the depot, supply, and aircraft fueling - the only depot at the airport.