Belarus blocked the transit of Russian gas to Europe

/IRBIS, June 23, 2010/ - President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has ordered to stop Russian gas transit through its territory to Europe after Gazprom cut off fuel supply at 30%, accusing Belarus of underpayment for previous deliveries. Mr. Alexander Lukashenko said that on June 22 during a meeting with Mr. Sergei Lavrov Russian Foreign Minister, the press service of the Belarusian leader. "I inform you, as Minister, that to date, Gazprom owes us $ 260 million, given the month of May, for gas transit. I have ordered the government to block transit through Belarussia, you do not pay for the transit of Gazprom. They tell us over the last six months not paid a penny" - Listed in the message words of Mr. A. Lukashenko. Mr. Alexander Lukashenko also called on the Russian side to offset the expense of the Belarusian debt payment for transit, saying that Gazprom dispute turns into full-scale "gas war". Besides, Belarusian officials said they are ready to pay the debt in May. President Lukashenko said that the gas will be pumped up as long as Gazprom did not pay off the debt for the transit through its territory. "We suggested to them: we give you $ 192 million, should you give us - Spend $ 260 million set-off, we list the difference - $ 70 million, and we will close the question." No, we do not want to! "Well, we enumerate $ 260 million - we will immediately list the next $ 192 million. That's reasonable."No, do not want it!" So, here is the blatant pressure. But I do not understand why it should be, "- he said. The Belarusian leader added that in May of Belarus fully paid for gas deliveries from Russia, taking into account the increase in gas prices, as demanded by Gazprom. Recall that the reduction in the supply of gas to Belarus began in the morning on June 21 in the direction of President Medvedev. [2010-06-23]