Talks underway on Moldova airport proposal to Russia's Lukoil

CHISINAU (Reuters) -Talks are underway between Moldova's government and Russia's Lukoil on buying the energy company's infrastructure at Chisinau airport as part of a bid to implement U.S. sanctions imposed last month, the airport's director said on Tuesday.

Serdgiu Spoiala said he saw no risks of the airport being left without aviation fuel after the government on Monday proposed buying Lukoil's facilities there.

Lukoil, along with Rosneft, was targeted by U.S. sanctions linked to the more than 3 1/2-year-old war in Ukraine. It is currently the sole supplier of fuel at Eugen Doga airport.

"We have issued a proposal in the name of the airport and talks are now underway," Spoiala told reporters.

"We are looking at several scenarios and I believe things are going well. Matters are at an advanced stage, but it is too early to say anything. I think we will have results over the next three days."

Lukoil-Moldova declined to comment.

Moldova's pro-European government said on Monday that it had proposed buying Lukoil's airport infrastructure, including a storage facility, to ensure supplies of aviation fuel in the country lying between Ukraine and Romania.

The Energy Ministry said it was seeking a deal of maximum benefit to the ex-Soviet state.

Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu last week said the company would have to stop its operations in the country as of November 21 in accordance with the U.S. sanctions.

He said the country is aligning itself with the sanctions but had requested a temporary exemption to ensure minimal disruptions for its citizens.

The Lukoil-Moldova company operates a network of 110 filling stations that provide petrol and diesel in addition to its facilities for servicing aircraft.

(Reporting by Alexander Tanas, Writing by Ron Popeski, Editing by Alexandra Hudson)