Russian gas monopoly Gazprom has warned Belarus' pipeline firm Beltransgaz that it may cut gas supplies from June 21 over the country's debts, Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov said on Wednesday.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said earlier this week Russia was giving Belarus five days to pay off its $200 million gas debt, or tough measures would be taken.
He ordered Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller to get in touch with Belarus authorities and urge them to pay off the debt as soon as possible.
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 Jan. 1 instead.
MOSCOW, June 16 (RIA Novosti)
