Belarus said Wednesday it has paid its $187 million debt to Russian gas giant Gazprom and demanded that Russia settle its transit debt.
"At 16:00 [13:00 GMT] we, having borrowed $200 million, sent $187 million to pay off the debt," First Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Semashko said.
"I demand that Gazprom pay [its debt of] $260 million by 10 a.m. [07:00 GMT Thursday], otherwise transit of hydrocarbon raw materials will be discontinued," he said.
The gas row over mutual debts, reminiscent of last year's dispute between Russia and Ukraine, caused fears that European consumers could be affected if Belarus halts transit.
MINSK, June 23 (RIA Novosti)
