Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said the disputes over gas payment debts between Russian state-run gas giant Gazprom and Belarus have turned into a 'gas war'.
"Unfortunately this conflict has turned into a gas war between Gazprom and Belarus," Lukashenko said at a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Belarus refuses to pay the Russian gas price, set at $169 per 1,000 cubic meters for the first quarter of the year and $185 for the second quarter, and has been paying $150 since January 1 instead.
Gazprom decreased its gas supplies to Belarus by 15% on Monday over the $200 million debt Minsk has accumulated since the start of the year. Supplies were further cut to 30% on Tuesday.
MINSK, June 22 (RIA Novosti)
