Russia's Gazprom to Buy Kyrgyz State Energy Firm

Russia's looming acquisition of a key energy company in Kyrgyzstan will boost its position in the strategic country, with economic and security implications for the broader Central Asian region. Kyrgyz state energy firm Kyrgyzgaz head Turgunbek Kulmurzayev said July 17 that Russia's Gazprom will acquire all assets of the company within 10 days. Gazprom will pay only a symbolic sum of $1 for Kyrgyzgaz, though it will also pay off the company's debt of $40 million.