Gazprom Says Belarus Risking Gas Supplies

Russian gas monopoly Gazprom has said Belarus could be risking its gas supplies in January if it refuses to agree to conditions on a price increase.

Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov said on December 25 that Belarus is insisting on maintaining the price it currently pays. He said the Belarusian demand is "irresponsible and threatens Belarus' energy supplies."

Gazprom has said it wants Belarus to pay $200 per 1,000 cubic meters of gas, or four times the current price.

Kupriyanov says Russia will also agree to Belarus paying $80 per 1,000 cubic meters of gas, if it transfers 50 percent of its state-run gas company to Gazprom.

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