Belarus' debt to Gazprom now at $340 million
In early October 2016, the governments of Belarus and Russia reportedly agreed that Belarus shall pay $281 million in arrears of Russian natural gas supplies. The debt was accumulated in January-July when Belarus wanted to pay around $80 per 1000 cubic meters of natural gas - not $132 as stipulated in the contract with the Russian gas monopoly Gazprom.
"I can confirm - something that was talked about by our Belarusian colleagues - that we will continue cooperating on gas supplies within the parameters agreed upon in the price formula," Russian Energy Minister's press office told Euroradio.
Belarus was to settle the debt by October 20 but continues to pay for gas at lower prices, which it considers fair.
Over two months - August and September, Belarus has seen its debt for Russian natural gas grow by $60 million. In May, Russian Energy Minister Novak mentioned the sum of $125 million and in late September $281 million as the debt to Russia for natural gas.
