Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Friday Russia had 24 hours to pay off its gas transit debt or Minsk would restrict oil and gas transit through its territory.
Belarus says Russian state-controlled gas monopoly Gazprom owed it $260 million for the transit of gas via its territory whereas Gazprom insists it has paid up $228 million in accordance with the current contract.
"I am warning once again: Gazprom's failure to pay in full for the services provided will result in the suspension of any services for the Russian Federation in the transportation of hydrocarbons - oil and gas," Lukashenko said.
MOSCOW, June 25 (RIA Novosti)
