Russia defends Belarus gas cuts

Russia deepened cuts of natural gas supplies to ex-Soviet neighbour Belarus even further today over what it claims is a debt of nearly $200m (€162.8m).

The chief of Russia's state-controlled Gazprom natural gas giant, Alexei Miller, said the company has cut supplies to Belarus by 60% from today.

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

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

Gazprom said it can channel gas supplies to European customers to another transit pipeline crossing Ukraine if Belarus starts siphoning gas.

Later, Vilnius-based energy company Lietuvos Dujos said Belarus has cut supplies of Russian natural gas to Lithuania by 30% along the Belarus to Kaliningrad pipeline.

The company said in a statement that the supplies were cut off with no warning.

Russia has reduced natural gas supply to Belarus by 60% following a dispute over debts, but still aims to supply Lithuania via the pipeline which runs through Belarus.

Lietuvos Dujos said Latvia has assured its Baltic neighbour that it will be able to supply Lithuania with sufficient gas to meet its needs.