Still deadlocked as full time approaches

Talks held Saturday failed to make progress on the gas impasse between Gazprom and Belarus.

"Empty-handed.” was the description used by Russian Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller for how talks ended.  "We split up, and where they [the Belarusians] went, I have no idea," Miller said.

Miller said he was unsure of the possibility of continuing talks with Belarus on the gas debt issue before Monday.

Belarus is a transit country for a fifth of Russia gas exports to Europe. Russia has stated that it will reduce its gas exports to Belarus by 85%, should the matter of the Belarus debt to Gazprom for gas deliveries not be resolved by Monday.

"In football terminology, we could call this unsuccessful attempt [by Belarus] to create a 'fake offside,” said Miller on comments by Belarusian First Deputy Energy Minister Eduard Tovpinets, that Gazprom owes some $200 million to Belarus for gas transit fees to Europe.

It just happens that $200 million same amount that Gazprom says Belarus owes for gas deliveries.

Miller said that Tovpinets’ comments were an attempt to draw attention away from Belarus’ own debts.

Belarus refuses to pay the Russian gas price, which is set at $169 per 1,000 cubic meters in the first quarter of the year and $185 in the second quarter. Instead, it has been paying $150 since January 1.

Source: RIA Novosti