The Russian gas major Gazprom is ready to cut the gas supplies to Belarus by 85% starting from 10.00 Moscow time on Monday, June 21, Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov told reporters on Friday.
"The operational headquarters handling the gas supply situation signed a corresponding decree on Friday," he said.
He noted that Gazprom might cut the gas supplies to Belarus by 85% already starting from 10.00 on Monday, when the balance for the previous day is closed. "This will require some technological work for us," Kupriyanov added.
Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller said earlier on Friday that Gazprom might cut the gas supplies to Belarus by 85%. "We pin high hopes that Beltransgaz will finally have repaid the amassed debt by June 21. One more letter with the demands to fulfil strictly the contract and to repay the debt was sent on Thursday. However, as we warned Belarus, if Beltransgaz does not take any measures Gazprom will cut gas supplies to Belarus under clause 6.4 of the contract signed on December 31, 2006," Miller noted.
Taking into account the already supplied gas in June and the debt (192 million dollars), Gazprom may cut by 85% the gas supplies to Belarus. The remaining 15% will allow Belarus to keep the country's gas transportation system operating before the amassed debt is repaid.
Itar-Tass
