Belarus refuses to pay Russia $700 million gas debt
Belarus will neither acknowledge nor pay a “debt” of $700 million for gas supplies, according to the press secretary of the Prime Minister of Belarus, Vladislav Sychevich.
According to Sychevich, all statements by Russian Minister of Energy Alexander Novak about the existence of such a debt are ineffectual.
"Regarding the statements of the Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation Alexander Novak about the unwillingness of Belarus to repay Russia the so-called debt for gas, Belarus does not consider these funds a debt. In particular, Mr. Novak noted the position of Minsk on the gas dispute is insufficiently constructive. In this regard, we, in turn, see the statement of the Minister as unconstructive. It does not correspond to what was actually discussed at the meeting. It looks more like propaganda than simple fact," Sychevich said.
He also recalled that Minsk has been repeatedly expressing its interest in the prompt resolution of the current situation.
"Belarus insists on the unconditional implementation of the intergovernmental agreement on gas pricing signed in November 2011 and the accompanying regulatory and legal framework. Otherwise, we must agree on mutually acceptable changes to the agreement," he added.