By more than doubling the price of natural gas supplies to Belarus in 2007, Moscow has stripped Minsk of a lavish and much-needed subsidy.

Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka today said Belarus will not give in to what he called "blackmail" by Russia's state-run gas monopoly Gazprom.

Russia's state-controlled gas monopoly Gazprom says it will dramatically increase natural gas prices for Belarus. In this report from Washington, VOA Senior Correspondent André de Nesnera discusses the ramifications of this move for the two countries.

"Azerbaijan's giving no answer to Gazprom in negotiations on Russian gas imports to Azerbaijan means refusing Russian gas supplies," Azerbaijani Industry and Energy Minister Natig Aliyev said. In his words, bilateral talks between Azerbaijani and Russian energy officials held in Moscow proved fruitless.

EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs today urged Russia and Belarus to end their gas-price dispute, which could affect supplies to EU member states.

Russia's state-run natural gas monopoly, Gazprom, has warned again of a cut-off of supplies to Belarus, unless the country signs a new price agreement.

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.