Russia increases Belarus gas cuts

Russia made deeper cuts of natural gas supplies to ex-Soviet neighbour Belarus today over what it claims is a debt of nearly $200m (€162.3m).

Chief of Russia's state-controlled Gazprom natural gas giant, Alexei Miller, said the company has cut supplies to Belarus by 30% starting today.

Gazprom initially reduced supplies by 15% yesterday. It warned Belarus it would eventually cut the deliveries by 85% if Belarus refuses to pay off its debt.

Belarus's Energy Ministry, in a letter to the European Commission late yesterday, warned that cuts of more than 15% could lead to transit shortages.

Gazprom has promised that European customers will not be affected by the Belarusian shut-off.