Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said he has put gas transit to Europe through Belarusian territory on hold until Russian energy giant Gazprom pays for the use of Belarusian pipelines.
"Until we are paid for the last six months, gas transit will not continue," Lukashenko said at a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
"Gazprom ows us $260 million, which includes transit in May," Lukashenko said.
He added that Gazprom knows about its debt and admits it.
"We owe them $190 million, and they [Gazprom] owe us $260 million. It is absurd that we are not paying off this debt," the president said.
MINSK, June 22 (RIA Novosti)
